General Aquaria Discussion • Catfish identity

[Hammerstix]

I have a catfish in my tank I always seem to forget about mentioning because he is nocturnal & I rarely see him. I would post a pic but he hides during the day & I doubt a night photo would be good enough to see him.

He is silver, has a large barb in his dorsal fin. I google searched & found a photo of him exactly however it doesn't mention what it is. Im gonna try to either upload the photo or copy the link.

I can't remember where I got him but would just like to know what he is. Thanks if u r able to help w/ my limited info.

[Hammerstix]

http://www.google.com/search?q=Aquarium ... d=0CC8QsAQ

Hope this works, Im on my smartphone & not my laptop...It's the third row thumbprint photo on the left. Third row, first photo...what kind of catfish is that?

[Hammerstix]

It worked but changed format/layout...he's third row second on the left. Fish facing camera straight on...what kind is that?

[GTZ]

Image location will depend on how wide your monitor is.
Save the image and upload it to a hosting site like imgur.com or flickr.

[dwarfpike]

I'm guessing it's the Bala cat/shark cat/Colombian shark or what ever common name they are using for it now ... used to be Arius sp., but that might have changed.

If it is, you might want to return it. They get huge, prefer brakish water, and use that dorsal spine in venomous. Or was it the pectorial fins? Can't remember, been a while.

[Hammerstix]

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/aquarium-catfish.html

The photo is my guy...

[Hammerstix]

Any thoughts?

[DJRansome]

The pic does not show shape and the color is not very distinctive. I was thinking bala shark too. Maybe a pic of your own fish? You may need to net him and photograph him in a holding container.

And THEN if we don't know...maybe post the pic on www.planetcatfish.com.

[mlancaster]

Hi Hammerstix,

Perhaps you have a Ariopsis seemanni, commonly known as colombian shark catfish or white/silver tip catfish. How big is yours? Although I have not kept them I read that they can get over a foot and as they get older they prefer more brackish water.

Keep us posted on your thoughts.

Thanks,
Matt

[clgkag]

Agree with Matt, it is a colombia shark. They do need to move to brackish water as they mature.

[Hammerstix]

Thanks, the Colombia shark is my guy! Thanks for your expertise! I.'ve had him for about 4 years & he's probably 6" long. Rarely do I see him although moments ago I shined a flashlight to find him & he quickly took xiver. He's not a real active fish & after first getting him I thought he was dead quite a few times. That wad before realizing he's nocturnal cuz he's very active when lights are out.