Specimen Photos; Dwarf Giraffe Catfish

[segy]

Sorry for hijacking an old thread but this looks like where I can find the info I need. This is my (supposed)dwarf giraffe cat. purchased him almost 2 ears go a a regular giraffe cat, but he has not grown much. A local forum ID'd it as a dwarf, but the pics look different than anything I come across. hopefully someone here can help.

Steve

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Looks like an Auchenoglanis to me. As for the species, IDK. The genus is in limbo currently - one revision says 8 species, another says 2. See this for more: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=39318&p=268875&hilit=auchenoglanis#p268875

IDK if there is a dwarf Auchenoglanis species, although I did too have a couple that have not grown much from ~4"-5" in 2 years (I lost them then). They looked Auchenoglanis to me but I've never had it confirmed by those with knowledge.

BTW, IMHO you may get better help on Planet Catfish with your ID question.

 

[justarn]

I currently have 4 macrostoma in the 4" range, love these little guys but due to shifting stock around they are taking there chances in the 300g it's been a couple of weeks and I saw three together the weekend. Glad the Oscar and aro haven't picked em off, plenty of hiding places.
Very tempted by a punctatus that's on an online shop I use but delivery is awkward due to the weekday delivery, becomes a very expensive fish if you have a day off lol

 

[justarn]

Anyone else keeping dwarf giraffes?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Blast from the past

Sorry for hijacking an old thread but this looks like where I can find the info I need. This is my (supposed)dwarf giraffe cat. purchased him almost 2 ears go a a regular giraffe cat, but he has not grown much. A local forum ID'd it as a dwarf, but the pics look different than anything I come across. hopefully someone here can help.

Steve

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Now, 4-5 years later, I'd guess this is Auchenoglanis senegalis from the lined up spots, which indeed is reported to be a smaller-growing Auchenoglanis species not exceeding 1'.

But we would really have to have Yellowcat and Birger on Planet Catfish look at this, as I am utterly unsure of my guess and of my Auchenoglanis species ID skill... which is in part why I am currently growing out 7 gcats from 4 rivers.

 

[justarn]

Thought I'd bring this back up due to the good info, you got any dwarfs Victor?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Thought I'd bring this back up due to the good info, you got any dwarfs Victor?

I only keep Auchenoglanis, no other g-cat genus. Of these, the ones from the Volta river appear to be the smallest so far IME and, reportedly, that of others. They appear to not grow much beyond 1'.

I have two of these, both from Wet Spot, Oregon, USA. The first one has been about 2.5 years with me now and is 1' or might be a bit bigger. It has been in 4500 gal for the last 1.5-2 years. The second I got maybe 1/2 year later at tender 1" and it has been refusing to grow much in the last year. Still around 7"-8" in a 240 gal.

 

[justarn]

So what's the Latin name on the Volta river pal? Are they senegalis like the one above?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

So what's the Latin name on the Volta river pal? Are they senegalis like the one above?

You know me. If I knew it or had a guess, I'd state it. I love to sound more important and educated than I am But here I'm clueless. Also, one of the reasons I am raising them to see who turns into what when adults.

The genus is in limbo. The latest revision cut down the number of species in Auchenoglanis to 2, if memory serves... from 8 from the second to the latest revision... ?? So what can I say? I remain confused and clueless.

Senegali is from the prior revision. The latest doesn't recognize it as a valid species.

Hence I refer to mine by collection location - they are from Volta (x2), Niger (x1), Congo (x2, looks like A. wittei), and Bouche (x2).

It's not a given that all mine are different species. But so far, I can tell them apart although 6 are in one tank - 4500g.


2010 revision with 8 species: https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31262&hilit=auchenoglanis+revision

2013 revision: https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=39318&hilit=auchenoglanis+revision

 

[justarn]

So what do we think on these guys, I'm not sure they are macrostoma due to the whiskers reaching the pectoral fins, on planet catfish that is a trait of the 16" species right?

Yellowcat thebiggerthebetter