Fish Identification

[sarahf]

Hey,

Ok, someone here will know the answer I'm sure! I'm looking for a fish identification guide. There was a computer programme that I had at school in biology, where you would answer 'yes-no' questions to eventually find a species, and then individual breeds of species. Does anyone know the name of this programme, or what this type of search is called.

I have recently bought a fish, we think it is a kind of catfish, as it has 4 barbels, two under its chin, and two on the side of it's mouth. It resembles a hammerhead shark, but its behaviour is v. eratic, sometimes going mad, and other times representing a dead fish. At first we thought it was being picked on, but although appears 'freaked out' it has grown a little, and plumped up. It swims so fast to the other side of the tank, he'll bang into the glass, but for no reason, it also sits in strange positions, vertically, head and tail first. I know that it sounds strange, but apart from that he sort of seems ok, but as his behaviour is so strange, we need to find out if it is normal for that species.

The shop can't tell us what we bought without seeing it, I can post a photo if necessary, but would also be interested in identification tools if anyone had any suggestions.

Awaiting your wisdom,
Thanks,
Sarah

 

[emma12321]

Hey,

Ok, someone here will know the answer I'm sure! I'm looking for a fish identification guide. There was a computer programme that I had at school in biology, where you would answer 'yes-no' questions to eventually find a species, and then individual breeds of species. Does anyone know the name of this programme, or what this type of search is called.

I have recently bought a fish, we think it is a kind of catfish, as it has 4 barbels, two under its chin, and two on the side of it's mouth. It resembles a hammerhead shark, but its behaviour is v. eratic, sometimes going mad, and other times representing a dead fish. At first we thought it was being picked on, but although appears 'freaked out' it has grown a little, and plumped up. It swims so fast to the other side of the tank, he'll bang into the glass, but for no reason, it also sits in strange positions, vertically, head and tail first. I know that it sounds strange, but apart from that he sort of seems ok, but as his behaviour is so strange, we need to find out if it is normal for that species.

The shop can't tell us what we bought without seeing it, I can post a photo if necessary, but would also be interested in identification tools if anyone had any suggestions.

Awaiting your wisdom,
Thanks,
Sarah

Hi,
welcome to the forum, definately sould like a catfis or possibly a loach. Take a look here http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/families.php and hopefully this will help you id it.

Emma

 

[SirMinion]

Sounds like a pangasius cat, possibly Pangasius hypophthalmus
Unfortuately, they get very, very big and will swallow anything they can.

Now see here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=11418

 

[sarahf]

Oh Nooooo....The Pangasius picture is it!!! This must be a dwarf, he looks nothing like the ones in the links (although admittedly the same family) ?!!?

Do you have one? Does his behaviour sound normal to you? I'm not too worried, because generally, he seems ok, (I don't know why he, but it fits!) but if you know of anything that'll perk him up, food or anything. Or is he better/normal in his subdued state...

PS. Neons and guppys are in the same tank, and all doing ok.

 

[Lynden]

I have 2 P. hypopthalmus, or at least, had. One is dead, the other is close to death, from a prolonged ammonia spike caused by tap water resin and an ammonia pocket in the substrate. I know this sounds brutal, but I'm glad they died. They didn't have a very bright future ahead. Rest in peace.

Curse the many pet stores that sell them as "small fish" that get no bigger than 6''. You are not the one at fault here, Sarahf, as you were misinformed. They do very well as small specimens in aquaria, but they will eventually grow to behemoths of over 4' in length and weighing as much as 200 lbs. Don't think that yours has stopped growing, however, because even if they are stunted on the outside, the will keep growing on the inside, and eventually become so malformed as to die.

-Lynden

P.S. the behaviour you described is normal. They are big, silver wussies, and will play dead often. I think it's kind of cute