Auriglobus modestus or silus

[PolishPuff]

I got those guys way back, but to me they look different. At feeding time, I payed close attention and look are they the same Puffers ?

This one is about .5" bigger.





and now little one

[autophotos]

i think silus but may be wrong

[J-P]

I can not tell the difference.. even using the pufferpedia. Sorry

[Pufferpunk]

1st one-modestus, 2nd one-silus. Modestus has a much deeper chest, silus is slimmer. Actually, great shots of the comparison.

[PolishPuff]

1st one-modestus, 2nd one-silus. Modestus has a much deeper chest, silus is slimmer. Actually, great shots of the comparison.

PP if we need those pictures in our PufferPedia, you are more then welcome to.

So,
Now I need to get another tank and separate these guys

[Hilly]

1st one-modestus, 2nd one-silus.

Agree with that, great pictures too.

[PolishPuff]

I dont see much aggression between them.

Silus has one bite on the back fin, but after keeping them for 5 mo. its not bad.

They would chase each other around with no contact.

[Pufferpunk]

It is very possible that the species are so similar, they may be able to be kept together, as long as they were introduced as juvies. Be sure you have a TON of decor & lots of broken lines of sight.

[nmonks]

I'm going to break ranks here. I don't think you can tell these two species apart by looking at live specimens. I've read Klaus Ebert in the Aqualog book, but I'll mention here that Kottelat further distinguishes Auriglobus silus by looking at its fin rays as well as the shape of the caudal peduncle. The "depth" of the body is fairly meaningless in puffers since they change shape with every meal!

You also have one or perhaps more extremely similar Chonerhinos species.

Cheers, Neale

1st one-modestus, 2nd one-silus. Modestus has a much deeper chest, silus is slimmer. Actually, great shots of the comparison.

[Corvus]

I agree with Neale. Auriglobus species are very hard to tell apart from pictures or small live specimens. The first one may be just an older version of the second one or a different species. The protruding lips and slanting snout are e.g. by Ebert interpreted as characters of A. silus.

The most "easy" character to differentiate between A. silus and A. modestus found in literature may be if the upper lip is slightly protruding (A. silus) or if the lower lip is slightly protruding (A. modestus). Also, the A. modestus as Nelae mentioned has a slightly wider caudal peduncle (depth 6.7-7.4 in SL vs. 7.2-8.2 in A. silus).

Chonerhinos naritus, however, is a larger, stouter fish compared to any Auriglobus.

[pufferpuggirl]

I just wanted to add that your photos are really nice Raffie, and I love the look on the first puffer's face, so cute!

[PolishPuff]

Thank you all for getting involved.

I wish there would be easier way to tell them apart.

It looks like we will never know.

I just wanted to add that your photos are really nice Raffie, and I love the look on the first puffer's face, so cute!

THX Su

[PolishPuff]

I found this;

Excerpt from Journal follows: DIAGNOSIS: Chonerhinos modestus, attaining at least 106 mm, apparently is the largest species of Chonerhinos and has the deepest caudal peduncle. Depth of caudal peduncle 6.7-7.4 (vs. 7.2-9.9 in all other Chonerhinos). Scales relatively large and close-set, those on the body anteroventral to pectoral fin with spines directed dorsally, as in Xenopterus (vs. spines directly dorsoposteriorly or posteriorly in all other Chonerhinos). Upper and lower lips about equally projecting or lower lip slightly protruding. Exposed portion of eye round. Snout gently sloping. Nasal organ moderately large, its length 14.7-25.3. Dorsal-fin rays 25-28; and anal-fin rays 20-22 (generally fewer in other Chonerhinos).

Note, in this journal Dr. Roberts explains that past reference to C. modestus generally refer to the whole genus of Chonerhinos. After much study and comparison by Dr. Roberts, he has determined the various species and described them completely in this article.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Species ... p?id=25171

OR

Chonerhinos silus (valid): Synonym Auriglobus silus is used in the Aqualog publication. Fresh water puffer: Inhabits Indochina and Indonesia. 8 cm (3.15 inches). A fin nipper as well, this species will eat another tank mate that is injured or sick without delay. Also common in the trade, over grown teeth are another maintenance problem.

Excerpt from Journal follows: New species. DIAGNOSIS. - Chonerhinos silus is most similar to C. remotus and C. modestus. Differences between C. silus and C. remotus are set forth in the diagnosis of C. remotus. It differs from C. modestus in attaining smaller adult size (largest specimen examined 82 mm vs. 106 mm); snout more strongly sloping; lips equally projecting, or lower lip variably protruding, frequently much more so than in C. modestus; scales anterior and ventral to pectoral fin with spines projecting dorsoposteriorly (Fig. 1c) rather than dorsally (Fig. 1b); and caudal peduncle relatively slender, its depth 7.2-8.2 (vs. 6.7-7.4). C. silus tends to have fewer dorsal-, anal-, and pectoral-fin rays than C. modestus (Table 2), but the counts are broadly overlapping and of little help in identifying individual specimens to species. ETYMOLOGY.- Latin silus, pug-nosed.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Species ... p?id=25174