Hey everyone....well at the risk of roughing up some feathers per say, Im wondering weather these guys are in fact Fila's. Im not trying to discredit anything, I myself have 2 reserved with John for his current shipment and can't wait to get them. I have also obtained a few other Cats recently in the Brachplatystoma family and was doing a little research today when I came across a few statement that hinted these might be B. capapretum. the only indication im going by is the description for the spots/blotches, as I cannot examine dentition, and these guys are not adults...these are a couple of the excerpts I found :
"In reference to Brachyplatystoma:
As mentioned, one of the characteristics of this genus is caudal fin filaments on younger fish. In most of the species these filaments are lost in adulthood, though they are retained in B. tigrinum, B. juruense, and B. platynemum. Many Brachyplatystoma exhibit countershading, in which the dorsal surface is darker, and then fades to a lighter belly. In most species, this is consistent throughout life, though there are some exceptions. Juvenile B. capapretum and B. filamentosum exhibit dorsal and lateral spots which mostly disappear in the adult form. Juvenile B. juruense and B. tigrinum exhibit lateral spots that expand to form vertical stripes as the fish matures.
B. capapretum, described in 2005, was previously misidentified as B. filamentosum. These two sister species are closely related. However, these species differ in premaxillary dentition, juvenile and adult coloration, and adult maxillary barbel length and caudal fin shape. These two species exhibit spotted juvenile stages, though in B. capapretum these spots are much larger than the eye, while in B. filamentosum these spots are about the same size as the eye. Also, the cross section of the caudal peduncle is rounded in these two species, as opposed to a deeper, thinner cross section in other Brachyplatystoma species. The adult B. capapretum has a very dark or even black dorsum (its species name is derived from Portuguese which means black cape), as opposed to the lighter dorsal surface of B. filamentosum
Abstract
Brachyplatystoma capapretum n. sp., a pimelodid catfish from the Amazon River, is described and diagnosed by its fine, densely spaced outer jaw teeth and relatively few rows of straight, depressible inner teeth; juveniles with large dark blotches on and above lateral line; adults with exceptionally dark pigmentation dorsally, abruptly countershaded near lateral line; broad, shallowly forked caudal fin. The systematic position of the new species was investigated with a maximum parsimony phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters. The resulting cladograms identify a nested set of unambiguous characters supporting the following monophyletic groups and taxonomic recommendations. Brachyplatystomatini new tribe is established for Brachyplatystoma and Platynematichthys and supported by two synapormorphies: two-chambered gas bladder connected by paired lateral tubes; cleithrum with blade-like ventral crest between pectoral spine articulation and posterior process of cleithrum. The monotypic genera Goslinia and Merodontotus are placed in synonymy with Brachyplatystoma characterized here by two synapomorphies: suspensorium greatly expanded mediodorsally, forming a massive plate approaching parasphenoid; juveniles with greatly elongated caudal-fin filaments developed from single outermost, unbranched principal rays. Bleeker's genus group name Malacobagrus is employed as a subgenus within Brachyplatystoma to include B. filamentosum, B. capapretum, and B. rousseauxii. Monophyly of Malacobagrus is supported by five synapomorphies: adults developing extensive reticulated system of lateralis tubules on body; Weberian complex with thick, ventral bony platform at gas bladder attachment; subquadrangular shape of opercle; pectoral spine with sulcus along anterior edge; small, non-sutured endopterygoid. Two unique synapomorphies place B. capapretum and B. filamentosum together as sister species: juveniles with spots on and above lateral line; caudal peduncle subcircular in cross-section.
http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1643/CI-04-036R1&ct=1
"
If you google info on this cat you keep finding the same thing over and over...descrbied in 2005, sister species to Fila's, was made official on this year as well as the move of merodontotus and Goslinea under brachyplatystoma. I cant find any pics for this cat, adult or juvie....what are your thoughts??
I want an Asian Arowana and some Freshwater Stingrays 
darn CITES...
You told me a while back that they were too much catfish for ya! lol, changing your mind with this thread? Hope you can find one to put in your pond, and hopefully he won't eat your RTC.
I'll see how many I can snag before all the lil childrens starts banging on the glass wall 
lol
