What is this Catfish?

[pufferfishi8]

what the hell is this cat?

i bought a catfish a few weeks ago, he was sold as a "black upside down cat", for about $4.00...he is about 2 1/2" long, jet black (almost like non reflective velvet), long whiskers. he is STRICTLY nocturnal, to a fault. i have never seen him swim upside down, in form and swimming style he is more like a shark cat, but lazy. lays around all day under some moss, unmoving. at night with a blue flashlight i watch him swim against the glass, never foraging or cleaning. i'm a little afraid i bought a catfish who needs his own shoal of buddies.
i originally had a vision of his dark silhouette cruising against my duckweed. silly me. should've gone with the butterfly fish.

 

[cacti]

sounds interesting, any photos? You may still be able to get a butterfly fish, ask people on this forum. I dont' know anything about butterfly fish.

 

[valerie]

You should look through the Synodontis species on www.planetcatfish.com

 

[catjo]

Probably the Asian Upside Down Cat, can't remember the scientific name and can't find the book that has it in there. Or it could be Brachysynodontis batensoda. Does it have really long whiskers (almost as long as the body?) Sorry I can't help more but if I find that book I can give you the other scientific name and you can check them out on Planet Catfish. Best of luck!

 

[pufferfishi8]

well its definately not Brachysynodontis batensoda, thanks though. his whiskers ARE as long as his body. i was trying to avoid an image by image search at planet cat...any guess will be checked out, i'd like to id him soon so i know i'm providing right for him.

 

[Darkangel]

Where are the barbells located? Above, beside, or below the mouth. How many barbels are there? Are the barbells branched at all? Is the tail deeply forked, mildly or not at all? More description would be better for an easier ID.

 

[catjo]

I still think the Asian Upside Down Cat is your best bet. You might try that common name on PC. I found my book but the name given is outdated and I can't think of the valid name. The old name is Heterobagrus. Somebody help me out here. If it is, you have a nice fish there. They used to be rather common but aren't seen near as much as they used to be. If you find it let me know, I'm interested in the valid name and if it IS your fish. If I have time later I'll try to find it also. Seem likes the new name starts with an "L" but don't hold me to that. I know I'm not much help but I do think I know what fish you have, just not smart enough to pull the name out of my foggy head

 

[catjo]

OK Puffer,

I went and looked cause it was driving me crazy!!! Try Mystus leucophasis-Asian Upside Down Cat. Hope that fits the bill for you and PLEASE let me know as I'm going nuts trying to think.

 

[ewok]

it's mystus something...... it has speckles tho and i have NEVER seen my asian "right side up", there is also another black version.... the giant or something........ not sure which this is. the little synos are mottled colors.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/ilibrary/bagridae/mystus/21_f.htm

sorry, couldn't find the reference to the giant.......

 

[pufferfishi8]

thanks everyone...mystus leucophasis is the closest looking picture so far, and even some of those are iffy. 6 barbels (2 short pointing directly down below mouth) in common, also the "speckles" which i had mistaken for possible injuries from a paradise fish, which resemble a few abberant scales on its side.
watched him again last night, never swims upside down, seems less active too, i am nervous he isn't doing so hot. perhaps low water temp is knocking him out (73), otherwise water parameters are ok.
somehow i dont think i'm blessed with a mutant upside down who swims rightside.
has anyone else had this problem?