On the difficulty of correctly identifying your Goonch. (Bagarius)

[Chicxulub]

Remember when the RTC costed hundreds? well, goonch are definitely going to be farmed its a ticking time bomb. soon African tigerfish will be available for RBP prices. Lots of fish are going to be commercially farmed and very quickly, its only a matter of time.

I doubt this. RBP can spawn at 6" in a 55 gallon tank. While not ideal, it can be done. ATF require thousands upon thousands of gallons, horrendous current and growth hormone injections into the females to spawn. And I'll remind you that ATF are NOT sexually dimorphic. An HCG injection into a male would hurt your chances of a spawn. There is no economical reason for either of these fish to be farmed, so its not going to happen. In Asia they won't farm goonch cats because Pangasius are much easier to breed, grow faster and don't spoil as quickly. In Africa, they won't farm ATF because tilapia is in every possible way a better food fish.

And as for RTC, in my 15 years in this hobby, I've never seen one cost more than about fifty bucks that wasn't a platinum or some other form of oddball.

Pole, PLEASE don't put comments like that out when you don't know what you're talking about. People might see that rapidly growing post count of yours and take your opinions for fact when you couldn't possibly be more wrong.

 

[GuppyZ]

The reason that the largest fish was caught from the Jumana River is simple- under Roberts (1983), both the Indian Highland Giant (B. bagarius) and the Lowland Giant (B. yarrelli) are rolled up into the same species. Roberts erroneously failed to differentiate between the two. I personally feel that the Jumana specimen is indicative of the Lowland Giant, B. yarrelli. Without having actually seen the fish in person though, I can't prove it so I don't preach it. It is my hypothesis that both the highland and lowland giant are capable of achieving comparable huge sizes and should likely be considered equals in that regard. More time and research is needed by members of this community to determine the truth.

I also lament the lack of interest that the non-Highland Giant morphs are getting. Estarego8 and I have confirmed no less than five separate variants that are popping up in the hobby and have found proper, documented scientific evidence to support the idea that these fish are in fact separate species. I strongly suspect that if we could get more of them into the hobby, people would accept this. Even as it is, no one is really bothering to challenge this assessment.

Goonch cats are one of the more exciting frontiers of this hobby right now.

Hm, I had no idea the Lowland Goonches could reach sizes comparable to the likes of the Highland Morph. It even seems that the Lowland Goonches may in fact be larger than the Highland Goonches considering that the Jamuna River specimen was larger than any Highland Goonch on record. Of course, the Jamuna River specimen's measurements are still questionable, as you said. However, if this is the case, then wouldn't you think the Lowland Goonches would be a bit more popular among sports fishermen considering the sizes they can potentially reach? And wouldn't you also think that one would see more large Lowland Goonches in the hobby considering that those Goonches wouldn't be restricted in growth by the lack of oxygen in the aquarium setting like the Bagarius bagrius are? Perhaps the Highland Goonches make seasonal or sporadic migrations into Lowland areas? I don't know, just food for thought.

 

[Chicxulub]

Hm, I had no idea the Lowland Goonches could reach sizes comparable to the likes of the Highland Morph. It even seems that the Lowland Goonches may in fact be larger than the Highland Goonches considering that the Jamuna River specimen was larger than any Highland Goonch on record. Of course, the Jamuna River specimen's measurements are still questionable, as you said. However, if this is the case, then wouldn't you think the Lowland Goonches would be a bit more popular among sports fishermen considering the sizes they can potentially reach? And wouldn't you also think that one would see more large Lowland Goonches in the hobby considering that those Goonches wouldn't be restricted in growth by the lack of oxygen in the aquarium setting like the Bagarius bagrius are? Perhaps the Highland Goonches make seasonal or sporadic migrations into Lowland areas? I don't know, just food for thought.

I think the popularity of the highland giants stems from the popularity of fishing for the golden mahseer. The big goonch cats are often caught as bycatch and have become popular.

The lowland cats are very popular in their range as food fish with the natives. Their lack of popularity as a sport fish comes from the fact that they live in a very poor part of the world. If someone catches a big one, they don't see a trophy to put on the internet, they see a meal on their plate.

When goonch are imported from India, there is no differentiation made between the two varieties. The most recent comprehensive revision to the genus is 30 years old an considers them to be the same species. It is entirely reasonable to assume that most exporters, importers and even hobbyists aren't aware of the speculation and research going on. I can understand why they are all exported under the same name. Hell, most exporters aren't even aware that they're shipping B. rutilus out (as "Thai yarrelli") and that paper's been available since 2000.

Matt and I are working hard with our limited resources to rectify this situation. Based on several factors, I am convinced that there are two different goonch cats in India, with the lowland morph spreading over much of SE Asia. Wes of Rare Fish has posted several times that he has noted marked differences in the husbandry needs of goonch cats that supports my hypothesis. He is one of the most experienced people who lives outside of Asia with this genus.

I appreciate the good questions. Anything to stir up conversation is a winner in my book.

 

[fugupuff]

Yes, I agree, I don't think that these fish will be bred for commercial purposes anytime soon. There has to be significant economic value for one to do this. While it seems we all want tiger fish and goonch, the relative number and money generated from this compared to what it would take to set up commercial breeding is a drop in the bucket.

People don't realize no matter what you pay for a fish and how many we sell of these "monster fish" its nothing compared to the tens of thousands of guppies, tiger barbs, bettas, imported weekly. Millions are sold vs, maybe a few dozen, or a hundred are sold and desired of goonch, and a few hundred tiger fish in the US yearly.

 

[Estarego8]

Sooo I am going to be up to goonch species 3 tomorrow! :3

 

[Anderman]

Pole, PLEASE don't put comments like that out when you don't know what you're talking about. People might see that rapidly growing post count of yours and take your opinions for fact when you couldn't possibly be more wrong.

He supposedly is only 12 yrs old so maybe just clean up the thread and delete his post and some others including this one so we can get back on track with the topic.

 

[BuffaloPolypteridae]

Based on what we've learned in the past eight months, I'm about to embark on attempting a Goonch ID thread again soon. With Matt's success in rounding up the different varieties, this shouldn't be overly difficult this time.

I really, really, really hope that these fish don't become popular like the RTC. These fish are 'ugly' and have big scary teeth. Some morphs can live in cooler temps. These things will go the way of the snakehead so quick your head will spin.

I really hope not either man. Given what was said about it by the people with real knowledge it now doesn't seem to be a possibility which is awesome. I really really want someone to get confirmed Lica in, do you know if they would be good in warmer or colder temps?

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[Estarego8]

I really hope not either man. Given what was said about it by the people with real knowledge it now doesn't seem to be a possibility which is awesome. I really really want someone to get confirmed Lica in, do you know if they would be good in warmer or colder temps?

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I am currently working on locating a true lica. I REALLY want one. If I get that then I will need a Suchus and that will complete the known goonch list we have confirmed so far :3

 

[Chicxulub]

I really hope not either man. Given what was said about it by the people with real knowledge it now doesn't seem to be a possibility which is awesome. I really really want someone to get confirmed Lica in, do you know if they would be good in warmer or colder temps?

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They're from the most southern part of Thailand, Malaysia and the Indonesian Islands, particularly Borneo. I'd wager that they'd do fabulously in warm water.

 

[rodger]

Remember when the RTC costed hundreds? well, goonch are definitely going to be farmed its a ticking time bomb. soon African tigerfish will be available for RBP prices. Lots of fish are going to be commercially farmed and very quickly, its only a matter of time.

What the heck is wrong with you? You comment on every topic on here, and people looking for real information get garbage like this. Your fellow MFK'rs would appreciate you keeping your comments to things like' I didn't know that' or 'neato' . Unless you have first hand knowledge, stifle.

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