Freshwater fish with spectacular camouflage

[Ivo Katrafilov]

Hello,

I need some inspiration for a zoo project.
Give me ideas for southeast Asian freshwater fish with spectacular camouflage.

 

[Zoovolunteer]

The various tiger perches in Datnoides and the Asian snakeheads in Channa spring to mind among the larger species. The hillstream loaches in Gastromyzon and Pseudogastromyzon are also attractively marked

 

[Ivo Katrafilov]

The various tiger perches in Datnoides and the Asian snakeheads in Channa spring to mind among the larger species. The hillstream loaches in Gastromyzon and Pseudogastromyzon are also attractively marked

We already have 5 Channa spp. and brackish Datnoides and they are far from spectacular camouflage.

 

[Tigeanderson]

I have a great idea and the fish is the glass catfish aka ghost catfish and they are from the rivers of Thailand and they have spectacular camouflage like they are scale less and lack color pigmentation and instead of scales they have transparent flesh which allows both people and animals to see their spinal cord and internal organs and their bodies and to avoid predators they use their transparent bodies to camouflage themselves against the water column and its surroundings and what i mean by water column is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water.

 

[Ivo Katrafilov]

I have a great idea and the fish is the glass catfish aka ghost catfish and they are from the rivers of Thailand and they have spectacular camouflage like they are scale less and lack color pigmentation and instead of scales they have transparent flesh which allows both people and animals to see their spinal cord and internal organs and their bodies and to avoid predators they use their transparent bodies to camouflage themselves against the water column and its surroundings and what i mean by water column is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water.

Yes, Kryptopterus are my backup plan in addition with Sphaerichthys osphromenoides which looks like small leafs.

The whole concept is multispecies vivarium, dedicated to ectothermic vertebrates camouflage. Arboreal levels will be for Ptychozoon(Gekko) sp., water level will be inhabited by Theloderma sp.
But I can't think of anything about the underwater.
If the fish were amazonian or african they'd be great choices but i can't think of anything from asia.

 

[Mr Gharial]

Also: Gangetic leaffish

 

[Ivo Katrafilov]

Also: Gangetic leaffish

Thanks.
And if i manege to find Nandus nandus, I can make separate leaf-fish exhibition, I already have a lot species with this camouflage

 

[AndyJ08]

For any planned African exhibits, Leopard bush fish (Ctenopoma acutoistre) is an old aquarium favorite that has impressive camouflage patterns and is relatively easy to keep in a community with larger species.

 

[Ivo Katrafilov]

For any planned African exhibits, Leopard bush fish (Ctenopoma acutoistre) is an old aquarium favorite that has impressive camouflage patterns and is relatively easy to keep in a community with larger species.

Thanks. I have several Ctenopoma sp., including Ct. acutirostre. I have difficulty with Asia.

 

[Mossman Joe]

The Chocolate Frogmouth Catfish (Chaca sp.) immediately comes to mind, doesn't get any more spectacular than this imo

 

[Ivo Katrafilov]

The Chocolate Frogmouth Catfish (Chaca sp.) immediately comes to mind, doesn't get any more spectacular than this imo

Thank you. I had forgotten about them.
Too bad I can't add any tankmates.