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Jush

Exodon
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2019
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North West UK
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Hello,

I've read all the threads on Sumatra vs Borneo in the past & really come away with nothing other than wild adult Datnoid photo comparisons which aren't really beneficial when trying to determine if what I am trying to purchase within the UK Fish Shops at 3-5" is actually Sumatra or Borneo. I've been on the hunt for almost 12months, I keep many different datnoids I'll list; 5NTT, 3AT, 1NGT, 15IT & still not yet to own a Pulcher (the dream!!)

I've been attempting to get my hands on many different Datnoids, specifically Indonesian variants such as Sumatra, Vietnam, Kalimantan & Mekong variants but all I own are what I believe to be Borneos however I've always hit a brick wall when it comes to being offered Sumatra. Vietnam, Kalimantan & Mekong don't bother me yet because I haven't seen them actually hit the UK market, but I am seeing influxes of "Sumatra" hit our market lately, of which I believe many, if not all are fake. I'm very connected with hobbyists & retailers up & down the UK & I see all these arriving, often when I try query them on their choice of labelling the fish as Sumatra I'm just told "They are Sumatra, that's what the list had them listed as" but as I have come to learn many lists contain fakes just to get a little more money out of the retailers & in-turn customers.

So, what are the differences I am too look for? I have a list of differences I've compiled from previous documentation of differences & reading threads, but maybe there are more that actually are proven or work across the board with any size datnoid...

Base Colour
Sumatra - Yellow/ Whitish/ Golden with obvious contrasting dark stripes.
Borneo - Browny/ Bronze base colour on the upper half of the datnoid side.

Stableness
Sumatra - Often always stable.
Borneo - Very unstable.

Spoonhead
Sumatra - Occasional spoon head shape similar to D. Polta sometimes seen in Kalimantan specimens I have come across online.
Borneo - No spoon head on any specimen I've ever seen.

Price Tag (not really applicable)
Sumatra - £75-100+ (of specimens 2-4".)
Borneo - £20-80 (of specimens 2-4".)

Bodyshape
Sumatra - Alongside spoon head (potentially) taller more slender appearance,
Borneo - The normal datnoid shape we all know & love.

Bars
Sumatra - 4 bar, thick at top, thinner at bottom. (unsure if should connect on all 4)
Borneo - 3-4 bar, unique bar, mixed bar, etc (a lot of difference) (seen 1x 5bar specimen, unsymmetrical, not top to bottom but 5 bar markings at the top of the back)

I'd love for someone with more experience to come along and possibly point me in the right direction. I have the video of the latest "Sumatra" I'm being offered alongside likely being able to dig up some previous examples of "Sumatras."

Thank you.

*me & Vancouver_98683 Vancouver_98683 have discussed this extensively in the past be we don't really have a reliable "checklist" for making sure a Datnoid is Sumatra although we have dismissed many specimens in the past that I have been offered.
 
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I also would like to have some better informations.
The one on the picture was sold to me as Sumatra.
Can anybody confirm this ?

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So off what I gathered prior to posting this I would say its a nice Borneo, it has a brownish base colour. But who knows for certain until the post gets more responses/ recognition. Lovely datnoid regardless though, perfect bars that seem to connect underneath too.
 
Thank you.
Maybe some other experts have something to say about the topic.
Could be just a way to get more money from the customer.
 
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Thank you.
Maybe some other experts have something to say about the topic.
Could be just a way to get more money from the customer.
It is a proven way to blag more money out of customers, the ones I've been offered are charging 2-5x the price of a Borneo dat the same size just for the Sumatra tag.
 
Yes i know.
I was hoping that the seller is telling the truth because its a reputable shop in the netherlands..
I had bought 5 for around 70 Euro each at 4 Inches.
And i asked if they are real sumatra.
He said yes.
If there is a way to find out the truth would be great!
 
Yes i know.
I was hoping that the seller is telling the truth because its a reputable shop in the netherlands..
I had bought 5 for around 70 Euro each at 4 Inches.
And i asked if they are real sumatra.
He said yes.
If there is a way to find out the truth would be great!
Pictures from his Facebook Account.
My Tigers should be from the same import.
They are highly variable in the colouration .
Sometimes black, sometimes full stable.

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View attachment 1413363
Who is the seller? I know of 1 seller in the Netherlands who supplied "Sumatra" to some UK shops that I even viewed myself once landed in the UK & later they turned out to be Borneo in my honest opinion.....
 
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