Where should i buy a Goonch catfish from

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Devilcat1970

Exodon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2021
30
25
26
19
I now own a bagarius lica and a bagarius suchus but ive been looking for a true LLG or a true HLG for a while now and dont know where to buy one because most goonches these days are indochinas and most goonches sold as true yarelli are actually lica so i was wondering if anyone had advice on where to buy a true LLG or HLG thats reputable and trust worthy to buy from. Any advice would help thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: thebiggerthebetter
Only vendor id trust for correctly i.d’d goonch these days is Wes at Rare fish… as u already know i dont think bagarius bagarius or bagarius yarelli come in too often these days. Years ago thats all that was available. IMO its switched over to indochina since there more warm water tolerant and seem to do better in captivity. Even at that its still a bit hard to decipher lica, rutilius and sp. indochina at small sizes. Some note u can tell by the eye shape. The rutilius are probably the easiest to decipher but its still kinda a craps shoot from most all vendors as they probably dont know them selves.
i kept true HLG back in 2011-2011… they were sold as B. Yarelli but back then b. Yarelli was the classification for the HLG… they do not transfer well at all at larger sizes. I grew a group of 6 to 12-18” and killed them moving them to a larger tank. Was in my “early years” before autodrip systems also. Water changes alone can make them drop like flies. Would def. Like to try a group of true HLG again aswell with more knowledge and better husbandry these days lol…
 
Wow, Russ, I have no idea your experience encompassed so much goonch drama... Appreciate your sharing. I have to remember to consult with you. Someone was offering to give me a 3ft goonch but a long drive. I didn't think it'd ever make it. And my goonch experience = zero.

OP, I too only know of Wesley Wong of Rare Fish, LA, California.
 
Only vendor id trust for correctly i.d’d goonch these days is Wes at Rare fish… as u already know i dont think bagarius bagarius or bagarius yarelli come in too often these days. Years ago thats all that was available. IMO its switched over to indochina since there more warm water tolerant and seem to do better in captivity. Even at that its still a bit hard to decipher lica, rutilius and sp. indochina at small sizes. Some note u can tell by the eye shape. The rutilius are probably the easiest to decipher but its still kinda a craps shoot from most all vendors as they probably dont know them selves.
i kept true HLG back in 2011-2011… they were sold as B. Yarelli but back then b. Yarelli was the classification for the HLG… they do not transfer well at all at larger sizes. I grew a group of 6 to 12-18” and killed them moving them to a larger tank. Was in my “early years” before autodrip systems also. Water changes alone can make them drop like flies. Would def. Like to try a group of true HLG again aswell with more knowledge and better husbandry these days lol…
Thank you i really appreciate it and ive just always been obsessed with the goonches for the longest time. I do like the indochina and admit that they are much easier to care for and don’t just drop dead like the HLG. I just like the look of the HLG alot more but i think ill just try to find a lica instead and order one from wes thank you for your help
 
  • Like
Reactions: wednesday13
Wow, Russ, I have no idea your experience encompassed so much goonch drama... Appreciate your sharing. I have to remember to consult with you. Someone was offering to give me a 3ft goonch but a long drive. I didn't think it'd ever make it. And my goonch experience = zero.

OP, I too only know of Wesley Wong of Rare Fish, LA, California.
Wow a three foot goonch thats really impressive for captivity and by the way i love your youtube channel and especially your giant piraiba, jau, and your massive chinese whels catfish you really have an amazing collection. Thank you for the help i think ill order from wes.
 
Wow, Russ, I have no idea your experience encompassed so much goonch drama... Appreciate your sharing. I have to remember to consult with you. Someone was offering to give me a 3ft goonch but a long drive. I didn't think it'd ever make it. And my goonch experience = zero.

OP, I too only know of Wesley Wong of Rare Fish, LA, California.

if a goonch made it to 3’ alive id bet its an sp. Indochina lol… if ur farmiliar with the larger one Rich/Josh have right now its a b. Lica. They moved it a pretty long distance at a large size trouble free. So id wager u have a good chance at getting the one offered to u home safe no problem if u want it ?? “sp. indochina” is kinda a general term for them these days. They come out of thailand instead of india. The “bonus” is they tolerate warm water and i believe this is why they do better in captivity. Within the last 6-7 yrs theres alot more documentation of large goonch in captivity 2-4’… we just didnt see that “back in the day” lol… the indian goonch need cold water as they get bigger and no stress. There were very few who kept them alive over 18”.
 
Thank you i really appreciate it and ive just always been obsessed with the goonches for the longest time. I do like the indochina and admit that they are much easier to care for and don’t just drop dead like the HLG. I just like the look of the HLG alot more but i think ill just try to find a lica instead and order one from wes thank you for your help
Any time man ??… agree with u also… bagarius bagarius look the best lol… Lica is a close 2nd tho. I enjoy their heavy black spotting over yarelli or indochina. I still kick myself for not having autodrip systems at the time i owned HLG 11 yrs ago. One of these days ill try again if there available.
 
if a goonch made it to 3’ alive id bet its an sp. Indochina lol… if ur farmiliar with the larger one Rich/Josh have right now its a b. Lica. They moved it a pretty long distance at a large size trouble free. So id wager u have a good chance at getting the one offered to u home safe no problem if u want it ?? “sp. indochina” is kinda a general term for them these days. They come out of thailand instead of india. The “bonus” is they tolerate warm water and i believe this is why they do better in captivity. Within the last 6-7 yrs theres alot more documentation of large goonch in captivity 2-4’… we just didnt see that “back in the day” lol… the indian goonch need cold water as they get bigger and no stress. There were very few who kept them alive over 18”.
Yeah my end goal is for my indochina or lica is to get around four feet, he’s around 26 inches right now. Surprisingly he grew pretty fast and i got him from predatory fins when he was like 11 inches and hes grown alot. I love my suchus too alot more flatter and less active then my other goonch but still very nice to look at.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com