Need help to identify a fish

[dadpeek67]

Does anyone know what fish is this? It is currently the size of normal guppies, but have a feeling it is growing further. I caught this with my kids at longkang fishing in Singapore. Thanks in advance!

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

It could be a baby cichlid or perch. If it's native to the area, see if the library or Department of Fisheries has a book called "Field Guide to Fishes of Singapore"

I did a Google search for fishes of Singapore and came up with the following link, but it doesn't really have anything matching the fish in the picture. It kind of looks a bit like a baby tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) but I don't think it is. Grow it up and see what it turns into.

New Standard Page

Learn about freshwater species present in Singapore

www.nparks.gov.sg

------
On a side note, I had never heard of longkang fishing so Googled it. Came up with the following link for anyone else curious about it. That is cool. The government and private companies making waterways for kids to catch and keep fish. The closest we have to that here is wading through drainage ditches on the side of some roads and hoping you don't step a needle while catching Gambusia.

Where to go longkang fishing in Singapore with the kids | HoneyKids Asia

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Try longkang fishing! We've scoped out spots in Singapore where you can fish in the longkang.

honeykidsasia.com

edited to add, maybe @Wills our cichlid specialist knows.

 

[dadpeek67]

Thank you Colin! I feel bad I should have made some efforts to Google, just thoughr it may be more convenient if anyone knows the fish

 

[Colin_T]

Someone will know what it is but I think the title is scaring them away. Most people simply have a title saying "what fish is this?" or "need help identifying a fish".
I reckon your title is much more interesting.

Out of curiosity, how deep are the streams the fish are in?

Do you have to sign a waver saying you won't sue if your kid catches something from drinking the water, or if they fall in and inhale water?

Do they have adults monitoring the kids to make sure they don't fall in?

 

[dadpeek67]

Someone will know what it is but I think the title is scaring them away. Most people simply have a title saying "what fish is this?" or "need help identifying a fish".
I reckon your title is much more interesting.

Out of curiosity, how deep are the streams the fish are in?

Do you have to sign a waver saying you won't sue if your kid catches something from drinking the water, or if they fall in and inhale water?

Do they have adults monitoring the kids to make sure they don't fall in?

it is actually a man made drain that is only about half a meter shallow. Parents are responsible to care for their child, though no aggressive activites are expected

 

[dadpeek67]

the fish has grown up and surviving! the fish has grown darker too.. it is one tough fish haha

anyone recognise what fish is this?

 

[Colin_T]

it's starting to look a bit like Cichla ocellaris. I don't think it is and really hope it isn't one

Hey @Wills, we need your cichlid identification brain for this fish

 

[Rocky998]

it's starting to look a bit like Cichla ocellaris. I don't think it is and really hope it isn't one

Why? Are they bad or something??
Kinda looks cool whatever it is

 

[Colin_T]

Google Cichla ocellaris and find out

 

[Rocky998]

Google Cichla ocellaris and find out

Yah I know, peacock bass... What is bad about them? Their size?

 

[Colin_T]

size, aggressive, eat anything, need a monster tank. they should not be aquarium fish

 

[Alice B]

fish store had a tank of them with a do not touch water sign, guess someone lost a finger.

 

[Rocky998]

size, aggressive, eat anything, need a monster tank. they should not be aquarium fish

True... But I would love to fight one while fishing someday... Sounds thrilling!

 

[AquaBarb]

I thought it had a peacock bass look about it in that second photo

 

[Wills]

I was thinking it was looking like some kind of Tilapia so did a search for Oreochromis Singapore and found this site

https://singapore.biodiversity.online/taxon/A-Vert-Fish-Perciformes-Cichlidae

Which is interesting as the Mozambique Tilapia is on that list but also 2 Cichla species and it does look like the Orinocensis. But even at small sizes Cichla tend to have smaller scales that make them look smoother where as this looks quite large scales which makes me think Oreochromis.

Truth is I don't know but I reckon its one of those two.

Wills