Channallabes sp. (1)

[amiidae]

Hi,

Channallabes sp.(1)in the cat-elog = albino form of Channallabes apus ?

Thanks

ben

[Birger]

There is a form that came out of the Congo River that has developed similarly to how a subterranean fish develops(I think from an area of rapids) I am not sure if these are them...there are other species of fish that have developed in this way in the depths of the Congo.


I need to try to find the info.

Birger

[Birger]

Sorry, shouldn't answer too early in the morning...I was thinking of

Gymnallabes nops

I am not sure where that form of Channallabes came from.

Birger

[amiidae]

Thanks for the info, Birger.

This is the fish that I am refering to. what do you think is the ID ?

[Birger]

Does your specimen have red or a dark eye?

The only place I can find that mentions an albino form is in Seegers book on African Catfishes...in that book the very same question is raised and apparently they come out of the Congo this way.

When making a comparison of the two head shots: your shot of C.apus http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/im ... ge_id=1408 and this head shot http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/im ... =10975they do not seem all that different.

Another thought is with their secretive lifestyle maybe albinos have a good chance of surviving in the wild and the form took hold, many species will produce albinos but they generally have no chance of survival.

Until someone takes the time to count things like fin rays and vertebrae and finds out where these are coming from it is only speculation.

Anyone else know more on these???

Birger

[amiidae]

I don't own that fish.

When I was there (FYI, that photo is fm the LFS ) the fish is no longer available. However, I was told that it has red eyes (which I have doubt as well looking at the shot) and there are still quite few (abt 5) in his supplier's store. That got me thinking as why would there be so many albino form since most don't make it in the wild. plus, I saw the photo in the cat-elog and there seem to be aboundance of them, thats why I started this thread wondering if this yellow form is normal for this fish.

[jippo]

Channalabes sp.(1) at Cat-eLog have imported from Congo.