At the end of June this year, a new batch of green elves arrived in Neon. When I looked at the arrival picture sent by the fish store, I felt that they were different from the previous batch of green elves aka Hisonotus vireo. ) are somewhat different. After I went to the fish store and looked at the actual product, I found that it seemed to be really different. After I bought it home and compared it, I found that it was indeed very different. This article will refer to this year’s new batch of green elves as “new green”.

The "new" green elf (Hisonotus sp.)

Actually, I am not sure about the true identity of Xinlu, but I am sure that these fish are definitely not H. vireo or H. ringueleti. When I first saw the real thing, I thought it was the Argentine carp catfish (H. aky), but after some comparisons, I personally think that the possibility of aky can be ruled out. (Personal opinion only)

For the time being, I can only refer to the new green little one as Hisonotus sp., because currently I can only confirm that it is an elf of the genus Hisonotus. I have some doubts that it is the Brazilian carapace catfish (Hisonotus iota), because it is very similar to the new green catfish in appearance and tail fin stripes. The new green catfish is short in size, and iota is also a short carapace catfish. However, there is only one sentence describing the body color of living iota in the literature: "In life, ground color of dorsum and flanks dark green." The back and sides of the living body are dark green. But everyone knows that fish will have different body color expressions in different states, and it is difficult to bind the two with this description alone.

The body color of the new green after entering the state is slightly different from the classic green elf , there are some subtle differences in texture, very beautiful. The structural color of fresh green is very rich in texture. In addition to the metallic green color, its skin also has many very dense point-like melanin distributions that can be easily observed with the naked eye. The three small greens mentioned above (H. vireo, H. ringueleti, H. aky) do not seem to have this feature.

There are many black pigment spots on the body surface

There are no such black spots on the body of the silver belly

Like the previous green little ones, the new green ones are not raised in the same way. It’s not too difficult. I personally recommend raising them in slightly acidic soft water. However, they don’t seem to be particularly picky about water. Many aquarists in different regions have raised them very well. Xinlu is also very active in eating, and can be fed special-shaped feed, chlorella tablets, water earthworms, etc. In terms of water temperature, after all, this fish comes from southern Brazil. It is better to avoid getting too hot in summer and try to keep the temperature below 28°C. It may be safer to use air conditioning or fans.

I am not very clear about the specific origin of H. vireo. According to the fish shop owner, the exporter once said that they were collected from the same place as the last H. vireo, but I I don't quite agree with this statement. However, New Green is most likely collected in southern Brazil or Uruguay. Most species of the genus Carapora are distributed in southern Brazil and areas south of it.

New Green

Old Green

Finally, let me talk about something unrelated. The fishermen in recent times are really amazing. This is where the name comes from, "Otocinclus Green". The literal translation is "green elf"...it's hard to judge. Then, I don’t know how the silver-green reflection on the side line in this picture was taken (flash? Structural color reflection?). The one in the lower left corner is simply a black line. Friends who have seen the actual picture also know it... ...Um. Some fishermen also have insufficient knowledge about fish, but they are very sophisticated. They sell rare items mixed with ordinary items, and ordinary items are sold as rare items. Learn from each other and communicate with each other, accept more information of all kinds, and be more cautious when purchasing goods.