Help Identifying A Fish???

[TracyUK]

Can any clever person on here identify this gorgeous fish? I was told he was a severum by the people I got him from but I'm not sure at all after looking at severum pics. He's about 10" long and is really regal when he swims round the tank. He is very placid and only tends to come out from the bogwood cave in the evenings for a browse round the tank.


[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Lady Hobbs]

Looks like a severum to me but never seen one marked like that.

[TracyUK]

Lady Hobbs, nor have I and I've browsed through lots of pics of Severums. They also have more of an obvious tail fin in the pics I've seen where as mine has a small tail fin which blends into his top and bottom fins.

[jeffs99dime]

i found the culprit. it a spotted climbing perch or ctenopoma acutirostre. it lives in the congo basin.
here's a link-- [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
and another--
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
enjoy:ezpi_wink1:

[Chrona]

Sheesh, took you long enough Jeff :rolleyes:

[jeffs99dime]

Sheesh, took you long enough Jeff :rolleyes:


lol. i had to reference my dr. axlerod's fish atlas. i knew i've seen that species before, but i couldn't remember the name. lol

[kimmers318]

That is a unique looking fish

[TracyUK]

Found this after jeffs links and don't think its right although he is certainly similar.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[TracyUK]

Looked at the two links and the first is the same body shape but the markings are wrong, the second link the mouth and face is a different shape to ours and ours has small, tightly packed spots unlike the ones in the pics???? Also, it says they grow up to 6" but he's already bigger than that at about 10", it also says he's aggressive, but mine is really placid.

[jeffs99dime]

Looked at the two links and the first is the same body shape but the markings are wrong, the second link the mouth and face is a different shape to ours and ours has small, tightly packed spots unlike the ones in the pics???? Also, it says they grow up to 6" but he's already bigger than that at about 10", it also says he's aggressive, but mine is really placid.

there's always a possibilty of different breeds within the same species too, don't forget. just because a site says that they will grow to about 6" and that they are always aggressive does not necessarily mean that yours has to be the same. it's really just a guideline

[TracyUK]

Found him exactly! He's an African Climbing Perch or Ctenopoma acutirostre. Thanks lots Jeffs!

Here he is...[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[TracyUK]

The African climbing perches (sometimes referred to as “bush fish”) are labyrinth fish, and so are closely related to the much more familiar gouramis and bettas, which all come from Asia. Although they have never been truly popular, the African climbing perches of the genus Ctenopoma are consistently imported and offered for sale to aquarists with an eye for something a bit different. Like their Asian cousins, Ctenopoma are generally hardy and easy to keep, but there are some things the aquarist needs to take into consideration before introducing some into a community tank. But if you take the time to help them settle into your aquarium, you will quickly find these to be fascinating fishes worthy of a bit of extra effort.

Incidentally, the “C” at the front of Ctenopoma is silent, thus the name is pronounced “teen-o-pomer”.

Description

Most Ctenopoma are laterally compressed fish with large eyes and big mouths. Compared with gouramis, which often have quite short dorsal fins, Ctenopoma have long dorsal fins, and at first glance it’s very easy to think you’re looking at a cichlid rather than a labyrinth fish. But labyrinth fish they are, and if you watch them for long enough, you will eventually see them come up to the surface for a gulp of air. The following are the most commonly seen species and the ones that are best suited to the home aquarium.

Ctenopoma acutirostre

This is one of the most popular species, and in some ways a good species to begin with. It is basically light brown with dark brown spots, and in juveniles especially the contrast between the two colours is vivid enough for these fish to sometimes go by the name of “panther fish” or “leopard fish”. While the colours do become a bit more muted as the fish ages, they remain attractive animals. Ctenopoma acutirostre is very hardy and long-lived, but it is also among the most predatory of all the species, and will not eat dried foods, flakes, or pellets. Live foods, such as earthworms and mealworms will be happily taken; frozen foods, such as bloodworms and mosquito larvae, are also relished. Although fairly big (eventually reaching lengths of 10 to 15 cm in captivity) it is also rather shy and easily bullied. Ideally keep this fish with its own kind or else mix with other peaceful species, such as the larger tetras and barbs, Corydoras catfish, and plecs.

[jeffs99dime]

Found him exactly! He's an African Climbing Perch or Ctenopoma acutirostre. Thanks lots Jeffs!

Here he is...[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

no problem--jeff