Please ID

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smokey70

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Oct 12, 2010
30
6
38
Nebraska
I've had this cat for about 5 weeks. I got it at Aqualand in Des Moines for $30. Usually they cost more; this guy was probably cheaper because his fins and barbels had been chewed down to nothing. Something of a rescue project.

It was sold as a giraffe catfish. I didn't think it was then and I don't think so now either. None that I'm familiar with anyways. I was told it would probably top out at 8". Don't have any other info on it, its eating very well and is healing up great. Likes to kick up a huge mess when you try to net it for pictures. I tend to stick to south American species and am no African catfish expert. Any info would be appreciated.

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Hard to tell without a 'face shot' but it is an African Clarotidae family species, not the large auchenoglanis 'giraffe cat' but a member of the genus anaspidoglanis or more likely the genus parauchenoglanis, members of both are called 'dwarf giraffe catfish' in the fish hobby. There are 2 species among anaspidoglanis and around 7 or so found in parauchenoglanis. Look 'em up on PlanetCatfish and compare species. It looks to me to possibly be parauchenoglanis punctatus but not sure. All of these are very rare, with many color/marking variations depending on river system, most come from D.R. Congo and are hard to I.D. Most species get to 8" or so, some to around 14" tops. I got a couple of varieties recently. EXCELLENT FIND!!!
 
Well, I checked planet catfish, and my vote goes towards parauchenoglanis pantherinus. The third and fourth pictures an the page match the color and overall body of the fish I see see in the tank.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=1996

I think that would be pretty spot on if the fish had fully regenerated old wounds. It was in rough shape when I got it. This is the second cat I have purchased from this store over the years that had its fins chewed off down to the bone. I don't know if they receive them that way, or if its that they're housing catfish like this with African cichlids and no cover in the tank.

The store I bought it from is an excellent place for rare and unusual fish, at least in Iowa. In turn, they tend to be overpriced and expensive. Either way, its a very cool cat. I'm very happy with the purchase, especially for the price.
 
I agree, it definitely looks to be a p. pantherinus. I was initially hesitant to suggest pantherinus because they are so extremely rare in the hobby. You should be happy with such a rare species from Cameroon and I would have paid more than you did if I ever found one for sale. A major score for an interesting and rare oddball Catfish!
 
smokey70;4568398;4568398 said:
Well, I checked planet catfish, and my vote goes towards parauchenoglanis pantherinus. The third and fourth pictures an the page match the color and overall body of the fish I see see in the tank.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=1996

I think that would be pretty spot on if the fish had fully regenerated old wounds. It was in rough shape when I got it. This is the second cat I have purchased from this store over the years that had its fins chewed off down to the bone. I don't know if they receive them that way, or if its that they're housing catfish like this with African cichlids and no cover in the tank.

The store I bought it from is an excellent place for rare and unusual fish, at least in Iowa. In turn, they tend to be overpriced and expensive. Either way, its a very cool cat. I'm very happy with the purchase, especially for the price.
Click to expand...
Do they keep theyre catfish with Plecos or other semi-aggressive bottom dwellers or just the Africans?
 
They move a lot of fish through that store. Maybe not ideal conditions, but usually very temporary. In the past, I've purchased a hoplo cat and a red tail shark from them that were ripped up by rift lake cichlids. According to the employees, at least. Which makes me wonder why they would repeat this error. I will say though, that I have purchased plenty of fish there that have been perfectly fine. And the 'expensive' cats often get their own tank.

This store will also take nearly any trade in, and perhaps some of the damage could be attributed to a previous owner. Anyways, this catfish came out of a tank with a very small senegal bichir (much smaller than the cat) and that was it. The plecos are usually kept with fish they will not harm.
 
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