What IS this fish?!

**MrHoohah** · 03-06-2013, 02:16 AM

I'm pretty new to fish, but I'm also pretty good at doing my research and finding what I want to find (although there are occasionally points where I miss very obvious and/or important details!). However, I can't identify my little fella, Joker. The store sold it as a "Chinese algae eater" and it most definitely is not one of those, as you'll see!
He's extremely active, likes to toss gravel around now and then, not shy or aggressive with other fish, and prefers spending most of his time in the corners of the tank in the lower 2/3rds, rubbing his nose against the glass, or what looks like sucking on rocks. He's about 4 inches long, seems to be an algae eater, and I've never seen him take a flake or pellet. Also, the pictures don't really show it (he's so fast and the edge of the tank hides it) but he has a few 1/4-inch barbels around his broad mouth.
To me, he looks like a sort of catfish, but I've tried all sorts of combinations of search terms until I tried the extremely broad "striped aquarium fish" and browsed through dozens of pages of pictures to no avail. I'm about 99% sure I'm just missing something silly and obvious, but it's for that reason I need to ask: does anyone know what on earth this fella is? (common and scientific name are equally desired)

Joker.jpg

He's adorable, and seems to be getting along just fine with a silver dollar, lyretail molly, blue paradise gourami, blind cave tetra, and a cory. I love his personality of tossing gravel around and doing the occasional inquisitive lap, although the constant attention to the walls in the corners worries me.
Anyway, any help at all is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

**genocidex** · 03-06-2013, 02:21 AM

i think its a Columbian Shark...

**Honey Badger 1** · 03-06-2013, 02:24 AM

Looks like an iridescent shark to me.
Iridescent_shark.jpg

If I am right, I hope you have a very large aquarium. http://www.fishlore.com/profile-iridescentshark.htm

**MrHoohah** · 03-06-2013, 02:47 AM

Hmm, it's possible he's an iridescent shark... but his mouth is so much more broad and his eyes are so much bigger than most pictures I've seen... Well, if that's what he is, I'll start searching for a new owner! The max I have is a 55 gallon and that'll only hold him for a few months, no? I certainly don't want to stunt the little guy.
Also, I'm going to have to inform that store of their extremely inaccurate labeling! That irritates me to no end.

In your opinions, should I return him to the store, or search for a more capable owner?

Thanks much for the info, guys!

**genocidex** · 03-06-2013, 02:58 AM

returning him to the store will net you what you spent back and you can get a new fish in return. then eventually some one who knows what that is might keep him correctly but, you also run the risk of him going to a home of a 10g tank...

but if you rehome him you get peace of mind.

tbh id just return him to the petstore and inform them of the missinformational labeling...

**MrHoohah** · 03-06-2013, 03:17 AM

The peace of mind would be great. Unfortunately it seems like the odds lean towards a heartbreak and a half. I abhor the lack of information and the exploitation of that lack! Ugh.

**talldutchie** · 03-06-2013, 04:58 AM

You can tell by the eyes this is going to be at least a foot long fish, possibly more.

Puzzles me too why shops seems so set on selling tank busters.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 03-06-2013, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by talldutchie

Puzzles me too why shops seems so set on selling tank busters.

This is shocking to me too. I see it all the time. I was in petsmart the other day grabbing some bloodworms and I saw the pet store employee net out an oscar for a family who was purchasing a 10 gallon kit. Luckily I caught the mom perusing the fish food and mentioned to her, very nicely, how large they get. I later saw them checking out at the register with a single gourami. Not the best, but definitely better than the oscar.

**Aeonflame** · 03-06-2013, 01:56 PM

Its definitely an iridescent shark. These should be banned from petshops.

**KevinVA** · 03-06-2013, 03:41 PM

Yeah, it's pretty incredible that many pet stores (usually big box) stock these enormous fish... They should stock based on averages. If the average sized tank that they sell is 55gal, they should stock their shelves accordingly. I get that some people have enormous tanks, but these people are most likely not shopping at Petsmart or Petco - they're going to the specialty shop or ordering from a breeder.