Platystomaichthys sturio

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Quo Vadis

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 12, 2014
912
21
18
Wisconsin
I am very interested in this species of catfish, but haven't been able to find much info on them. Has anyone here kept them? Any info on care, personality, or how aggressive/predatory they are? Also any idea where I could track one down? Are there any places online that specialize in rarer catfish?


(Not my pic)
Platystomatichthys%20sturio.jpg
 
They are slow growers and picky eaters... mine is still eating frozen shrimp/worms/fish only. The streamers/whriskers on them are 2x the body length. So far, mine seems to keep to himself and has never shown aggression.
 
Thanks guys! They are much more expensive than I realized! How big of fish in comparison to their body size, can they eat? What more common cat are they most similar to that I could look up care info on?
 
They are unique. Mine 1'-er was very, extremely fussy.

Give Shark Aquarium, Hillside, NJ a call. They ship. My 1'-er was ~$125 five years ago.

The bent shout is always an injury AFAIK.
 
Platysilurus mucosus looks similar and used to be taxonomically in the same genus with the sturio http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=1641

They are smaller Pim cats, rarely kept, underrated, not expensive. I liked my pair, their barbels and extensions exceed body length by many, many times and look very interesting: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30933&hilit=+malarmo (Note mine was mis-IDed as malarmo, a much larger cat from the same genus)

I don't think anyone has ever kept a malarmo. Knifegill, how big is yours? If it is still 7"-8" after all these years, it is a mucosus, I'd think, not a malarmo. http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32011&hilit=+malarmo
 
I am been toying with the idea of getting one. Have most people experienced found them to be this fussy with feeding?
 
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