Q: Catfish Species ID?

[jgolden]

I received a call from a friend I haven't heard from in a couple years. Dunno how he heard I got into the tanks (probably saw my parents or sister). Anyways, he says he has a fish he needs to get rid of, and would I want it? Free fish? ok.

He says it is a tri-colored catfish. That's the only description, other than it wouldn't be good for a community tank. :? (Thank heavens I still have a quarrantine tank :!:). I'm sorry I don't have a pic :oops: - yet. I'm supposed to be meeting him for a cool refreshing Barley drink tomorrow after work at a local establishment :wink: and pick it up from him then.

I thought I would start this thread without the pic at present because I'm curious what kind it might be. I haven't found anything in my searches.... Any thoughts? And I'm sure once I get a relatively decent pic of him tomorrow to follow up, one of you fine folk will be able to ID it for me...

TIA.

J

[mseguin]

Tri colour shark is another name for a Bala shark.

[jgolden]

Knowing this friend, it probably is a bala, and he's calling it a catfish... I'll post a pic tomorrow. Thanks Mark

[aidensmomma2000]

Nasty buggers they are!

[NjOyRiD]

there ya guys:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Balantiocheilos&speciesname=melanopterus

[jgolden]

Yah, it was definitely a Bala. Much bigger than expected. It was between 7" - 8"... Too big for the 10G. It's currently in my brother-in-law's 35G, until he finishes renovating his basement and gets his 90G set up...

Thanks all.