Question for the Catfish Experts

[coyotethug]

I have kept a number of cats over the years, but I am by no means an expert. I was at my local aquarium over the weekend and I saw a couple of disturbing things. I was in an amazon gallery and I saw multiple fish that I don't believe belong there. Two were what appeared to me to be paroon sharks about 30 inches or so in with a bunch a big redtails, pacus, and of course leopoldi rays with missing tails because I am sure the pacus got hungry. There was also what looked like about a foot long albino of the same species in another tank. I don't think much of this place, but it is the only one around and my 3 year old loves to go. I did an internship there, but didn't continue there after I had spirited conversation with the director about issues such as this.

My question is: Are there any catfish that look like paroons which are from the amazon?

If so what are the species names so I can look them up to verify before I send my email to them blasting their credibility once again.

That being said, this isn't the only problem I have. There are at least 20 large blood parrots in various tanks without any info that they are hybrids, they have lutino tiger oscars in multiple tanks now, including the discus tank which is loaded with only man made strains such as blue diamonds and red pandas, they have signs for arowanas, arapiama, and other species that they don't have, and haven't had for more then 5 years now. It bugs me that no one that works there sees this as a problem. I even had a good friend who had a 30 inch arapiama who was in perfect condition that he offered to donate to them. They refused, but have no problem with some poor quality lutino tiger oscars. Don't get me wrong, oscars have been a favorite of mine since I first started in this hobby over 20 years ago, but these are man made varieties, and not even good examples of their kind.

Sorry for the long post, just had to vent a little.

 

[amazonfishman]

They were probably ID Sharks or Paroons. I know of several large aquariums including the Dallas World Aquarium that have tried similar things. Not because they think they go in there but because the amazon exhibit is usually the largest enclosure for freshwater thus allowing for the most swimming space and best habitat for the Paroons.

Ageneiosus catfish could possibly look like small ID sharks at adult sizes depending on the species.

Regarding the hybrids etc, if they are unwilling to house the larger fish or rarer fish it's probably because of insufficient funds to property take care of them at adult sizes. I agree that they should remove the signs of fish not in the tanks, especially since that is an easy thing to do.

 

[coyotethug]

I don't think it is a lack of funds issue, I simply think it is the same issue that drove me away. The director thinks of the aquarium as a giant convention hall with aquariums in the walls. There hasn't been a great deal of focus on the biology side of things for some time. The average biologist is paid far less then the average person who is on the catering staff. When I brought up these and other similar issues in the past, I was told "how dare I criticize an accredited institution."

That being said, my original plan after college was to run an establishment like that. I got a BS in Zoology: Zoo and Aquarium Sciences, a MS in Zoology, and a proMS in Business so I could speak intelligently about both sides of the business. I am extremely passionate about this field, but my situation with this institution soured me on the whole plan. I am now a high school science teacher. I wrote the curriculum for a Marine Biology course and had it approved by the state board. That class is now in it's 6th year and going strong. I also teach honors and AP Biology classes as well.

The aquarium in question is in New Orleans, it is packed with tourists year around, and is by no means hurting financially. I just don't think the people they hire care enough to make it the best. They are happy if everything lives and people keep coming through the door. I just wish they would take a little something from the Shed Aquarium in Chicago and create the stunning exhibits which are biologically correct, educational, and deserving of the species they are keeping. Thank you for the info, if anyone else has something to add please feel free.

Are there any great aquariums out there in the south? I am looking on going on some short trips this summer with my son and need some advice from fellow aquarists on the ones I need to hit.

 

[stackdeck]

I got a BS in Zoology: Zoo and Aquarium Sciences, a MS in Zoology, and a proMS in Business so I could speak intelligently about both sides of the business. I am extremely passionate about this field, but my situation with this institution soured me on the whole plan.

Wonder if they have courses like this in Singapore , I have similar ambitions