Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Identification => Topic started by: fcmf on March 30, 2018, 10:56:17 AM

Title: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: fcmf on March 30, 2018, 10:56:17 AM
The staff at my LFS aren't sure of the ID of this fish which came in by accident from the supplier. I thought I'd managed to ID it (and without too much problem) but it may well not be as simple as I'd thought. It's very sociable and I'm extremely tempted by it but obviously can't give it a home unless I know its ID and its requirements (which, I suspect, include a much bigger tank than the one I have among other aspects). Views welcome as to its ID; thanks. :)
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: Helen on March 30, 2018, 11:05:58 AM
I don't have particularly extensive knowledge of fish IDs, but my first instinct is that it's a barb (fiveband).

The things that make me think that are the body shape and the position of the black spots (deformed stripes?). I would suggest more likely a female, because of the lack of red, but seeing as it's colouring is clearly not right (if that is what it is), then maybe not.

What size is it?
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: fcmf on March 30, 2018, 11:13:46 AM
Thanks, @Helen. Will be interesting for others' views too.

It's only about 2cm in size at present. The member of staff in the LFS thought it was a barb of some sort too, but, confusingly, it's extremely sociable, almost as though it's got the personality of a cory or a betta.
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: Helen on March 30, 2018, 11:17:40 AM
I just been having a look at Seriously Fish and found this species profile...

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/puntius-snyderi/
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: fcmf on March 30, 2018, 11:26:28 AM
Ah - now that's looking a more plausible suggestion (than my initial / too-obvious thought of a barbodes binotatus pic 5); thanks. :) 

Bummer, though - even without thinking of all the other factors such as compatibility with existing fish, my eye immediately went to the section on minimum tank requirement size which inevitably causes a heart sink.
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: Helen on March 30, 2018, 11:30:54 AM
Hmm, those two fish have quite different requirements.  :o
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: Matt on March 30, 2018, 02:27:54 PM
It looks more like the spotted barb (barbodes binotatus) to me due to the location of the spots.
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: Hampalong on March 30, 2018, 05:52:52 PM
Thanks, @Helen. Will be interesting for others' views too.

It's only about 2cm in size at present. The member of staff in the LFS thought it was a barb of some sort too, but, confusingly, it's extremely sociable, almost as though it's got the personality of a cory or a betta.

Barbs are very sociable!! They're shoalers, so the non-nippy ones (most of them) will often seek company if they're on their own.

It looks like Barbodes banksi to me. I can get a sure-fire ID on Facebook if you like...
Title: Re: ID confirmation of fish with spots, please
Post by: fcmf on March 30, 2018, 07:39:26 PM
Thanks, @Hampalong - this is helpful. Subsequently, I did a bit of googling and managed to find a PPT on the difference between a barbodes binotatus .v. barbodes banksi - they are similar, certainly. No need to get a sure-fire ID (although thanks for the offer) - this is sufficient info to tell me that, sadly, I can't home this species. It's not just an issue of tank size - at 9-11 cm once fully grown, the species would be too large with my current tank inhabitants.  :(