Sperata acicularis

[GiantFishKeeper101]

For one thing, most reports on this fish are false. They do not have slow growth. Today, 18 days they went from 5" to 6.5"-ish (I don't have the guts to take out the fish out of water to record any precise measurements but seems close to the one I give). Estimated growth, 2" a month. That's impressive actually for a bagrid catfish. Bagrid catfish usually have slow growth.

Second, they started to get aggressive around others. They kill other teammates, eat a couple of corys & seems to fight with each other for the best spots. I really hate this cats but at the same time love em.

19th May 2018


5th June 2018

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Sounds and looks just like my trio of alleged Speara aor that may or may not turn out acicularis. Keep up the great reporting!

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Is there any significant difference between them? I could only see color. Acicularis record yellow, Aor silver. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I've never looked that deep into it, just trusted experts who stated that young Sperata are hard to ID. Fishman Dave may have some insight.

In general base color is subject to heavy variability depending on keeping conditions. Not reliable, unless one is raising both species side by side.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Update on these guys, currently 9-10'-ish. Slowed down their growth, don't know what happened, eating non-stop tho even a few minutes after water change. Still yet to see any aggression on these guys but nice high shoulder build up. Good quality, some specimen found doesn't have the high shoulder (probably different gender). Beautiful high shine, love em.

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

I've always been interested in the Sperata genus however I've never had a proper tank to keep them in. How big do you expect them to grow exactly?

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

I've always been interested in the Sperata genus however I've never had a proper tank to keep them in. How big do you expect them to grow exactly?

Never heard reports on these fish exceeds 2'. thebiggerthebetter has 2' speratas but that's aor not acicularis (what he think he has).

Not that hard to keep this fish, they aren't skittish & not fussy eaters. They could practically live long term in 6x3 tank with wavemaker. However the reported aggression on this fish that you have to watch out. Haven't seen em yet but most say started at 12" or so.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Update! Estimated 13-14", the girth & long barbels are impressive when see up close. Still no aggression, even with each other but voracious as hell.

View attachment IMG_20181006_225133.jpg View attachment IMG_20181006_225041.jpg

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I am thoroughly intrigued by the absence of aggression toward each other (and others). If this goes on, it may be the difference between acicularis and aor, if mine are indeed aor and yours are indeed acicularis.

Mine fight non stop with each other, every day, many times a day. They are always all covered in scuff marks. Blood is drawn very rarely. Just pushing and ramming and nosing each other, poking with fins and biting but lightly. All that in 4500 gal, while the fish are 2'.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

14", last measurement before grow out pool. The pool are 20x10x5, have no filter, algae waters but full of feeders. He will be living there for certain period of time, his sibling already sold.

Further update on this thread are closed for now, last photo.