What name should we use to Identify our fish.

[itiwhetu]

On another Thread there has been a discussion about the confusion that arises when using common names to identify fish. I don't think it matters and usually we have a good idea of what the fish is that is being described. Sometimes there needs to be clarification but not very often.
When talking about Corydoras for example most of the time it doesn't matter exactly what the species is because they are all so similar. But when talking about Gourami's they are all so different it can be important to know exactly what you have. In the cases where it is vital a photo tells the story.
I don't think we have to worry too much about Latin names, and I feel common names are just fine. I do feel that it is important to have the Latin names available, but I wouldn't want to see them being used all the time. For a starter who wants to learn how to spell most of them, and secondly who can actually pronounce them all correctly. The LFS's get enough flak as it is without making the poor staff trying to remember Latin.

 

[otterblue]

I don't think we have to worry too much about Latin names, and I feel common names are just fine.

I agree, yet for poison dart frogs I feel the exact opposite. I don't know why. I don't even know the common name of most of the frogs, but I do know the Latin name.

 

[itiwhetu]

I agree, yet for poison dart frogs I feel the exact opposite. I don't know why. I don't even know the common name of most of the frogs, but I do know the Latin name.

That's because they will kill you, if you get it wrong.

 

[otterblue]

That's because they will kill you, if you get it wrong.

Only a couple & none in captivity. They're only poisonous in the wild, due to their diet.

 

[Circus]

I feel like if you know the specific common name (like sparkling gourami rather than just gourami) that is usually enough. The Latin names can be useful, but I find myself getting pretty confused when people give them in Latin only (and using Google a lot). When wanting a fish that may be confused with others easily, I will use (attempt) the Latin name and have shop people double check with their supervisor if either of us are unsure.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Common name and latin name. However, one of the fish I keep doesn't have a common name, so latin names are more helpful for rarer fish.

 

[itiwhetu]

Common name and latin name. However, one of the fish I keep doesn't have a common name, so latin names are more helpful for rarer fish.

What fish is that?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

What fish is that?

Glad you asked. i'm currently writing an article about them in fishforums.wiki. Gymogeophagus Terrapurpura. I'll give you some pics if your interested. i'm also breeding them...sooooo, if you are super interested, you know what to do

 

[itiwhetu]

Glad you asked. i'm currently writing an article about them in fishforums.wiki. Gymogeophagus Terrapurpura. I'll give you some pics if your interested. i'm also breeding them...sooooo, if you are super interested, you know what to do

Set up a new thread for them

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

I will. They're one of my favorites! They spit sand at one another!

 

[otterblue]

Common name and latin name. However, one of the fish I keep doesn't have a common name, so latin names are more helpful for rarer fish.

Just to clarify, you're saying if someone is listing their stocking they should say: I have 2 angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), 10 neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) and 6 bronze corys (Corydoras aeneus).

It seems needlessly redundant and time consuming to me (with the exception, as you said, of uncommon/unusual fish).

 

[itiwhetu]

Just to clarify, you're saying if someone is listing their stocking they should say: I have 2 angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), 10 neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) and 6 bronze corys (Corydoras aeneus).

It seems needlessly redundant and time consuming to me (with the exception, as you said, of uncommon/unusual fish).

Some are suggesting we don't use common names at all. Which I find a little to academic. But yes, we need to know what we are talking about so more use of Latin names. I don't agree by the way.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Just to clarify, you're saying if someone is listing their stocking they should say: I have 2 angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), 10 neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) and 6 bronze corys (Corydoras aeneus).

It seems needlessly redundant and time consuming to me (with the exception, as you said, of uncommon/unusual fish).

No. I'm not saying to list your whole stock that could just be platys and guppies. Everybody knows guppies and platys. I'm saying if you have something uncommon such as a Polleni Cichlid (Paratilapia polleni). I recognize rarer fish by scientific names.

 

[itiwhetu]

No. I'm not saying to list your whole stock that could just be platys and guppies. Everybody knows guppies and platys. I'm saying if you have something uncommon such as a Polleni Cichlid (Paratilapia polleni). I recognize rarer fish by scientific names.

I agree with your approach completely.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Using the Latin name is all well and good, however there are many cases where fish have been sold under the incorrect name (both common and Latin)

When that happens there is usually a 20+ page thread trying to identify the poor thing...and some never get identified with 100% certainty

For example, there are many accounts of an LFS selling "Dwarf Cichlid" but without actually identifying which one and when bought as juveniles they tend to be pretty hard to differentiate, and then you get the contraindications on stock happen and you have both newby and oldie in fishkeeping being caught out which in turn can end up being very messy indeed for the fish mix

So its fine to use the Latin name if you can identify the fish in question to begin with, but if the fish cannot be identified for any reason then using the Latin and common potential names gets overwhelming and confuzzling to people, especially the newbies.