An Interesting Loach ID?

[Graeme Robson]

If i remember correctly, Emma and I met up in February to visit a catfish and loach show/auction in Selby where there was a Chinese loach expert giving talks on the native fish. His name was Dr Yan gui tyn and his talks on various loaches like the Sinibotia reevesae's habitat was really interesting.

The most exciting part was when Dr Yan gui tyn showed us this unusual Botia/Sinibotia?. It held a lovely metallic green shine/colour all over it's body with a dozen horizontal stripes. Apparently this chap comes from the Xishan River in the Yranac province and is undescribed i think?

Anyways here's a crappy picture i have taken of one of mine. Sorry about it being out of the aquarium, this chap always hides or moves to hide when my ugly mug approaches with the camera!

PS, Emma also has some of these chaps.

[Emma Turner]

Heheh! I know what you mean, mine are really really shy. I've tried on and off for pics since we got these and the best I've managed to capture so far is shown below. I don't know about yours, but these tend to lurk in the shadier areas at the back where my camera can't focus very well.

I remember Dr Yan Gui Tyn said these were likely to be new to science and that they were currently undergoing investigation/description. One of my contacts 'in the know' said last week that he's pretty certain they are going to be classified as Leptobotia stultus, but don't quote me on that!



What are yours feeding on Graeme, mine don't seem that interested in all the 'usual fare' that my other loaches seem to go for.

Emma

[Jim Powers]

Interesting fish. I hope we can see more pics in the future. (hint, hint)

[Graeme Robson]

Superb image Emma!

Leptobotia stultus sounds appropriate for now. Excellent! I never see mine eat but i know they are fine as they seem to hold a good body shape.

Cheers Jim. Hopefully i can capture more pictures.

[Dave_2133]

they look lovely loaches but have you got any bigger pics of them for a better look.

[Mad Duff]

You two kept them quiet

They look like really nice fish

[Jim Powers]

Yes, I was going to say that too...

[Martin Thoene]

Graeme, couldn't you cup the fish in your hand like that against the front glass and get a pic?

Or are you afraid of getting spiked? It looks like a quite attractive species.

Martin.

[Emma Turner]

Thanks all.

Graeme, I was hoping you'd say yours had really taken to a certain type of food. They must be eating at night, as we must have had these particular fish for some weeks now and like you say, they don't appear to lose any body weight.

Will try for more pics, but these really aren't very cooperative.

Emma

[Graeme Robson]

Cheers everyone!

Martin, this chap likes to live in darker areas of my aquarium but with one hand in the water (at the back) and my other hand with a camera i did manage to capture one shot of him moving nearer the front area. Picture is below.

Yeah Emma, i often see him in the back end of the aquarium. I wonder if these species actually lives in deeper waters with plenty algae growth around them. Which foods they like the most has me stumped.

[Emma Turner]

Nice shot! That skunk is really giving him the eye!

That food theory does make sense actually, the algae could well be responsible for the greenish colour of this species.

Emma

[Graeme Robson]

Thanks. A few of them looked stressed with my arm in the waters but this is a one off picture of them. I rather just let them live as they like too.

Yeah the food theory could be a Major factor.

[Martin Thoene]

That looks quite nice. Sort of like a shorter bodied Tiger species, but with thin stripes. I thought it was bigger than that. Against that skunk it looks quite a sweet little thing.

I was talking to Harold on the phone this morning because he keeps telling me that he has access to Chinese fish via some transhipper. He wouldn't tell me who his transhipper is, but the list he has includes Leptobotia stultus. The Chinese exporter is the Ahafang Trading Company and they are in Yraranac Province which would seem to confirm the info you've got on location.

I want Sinibotia reevesae but they don't have that listed

You guys should enjoy these before the authorities go clamping down on their import. Or did they already?

Martin.

[Emma Turner]

Well we were lucky enough to obtain these from Dr Gui Tyn before they were properly described. I have a feeling that now they've been ID'd as a Leptobotia, further specimens may not be allowed for import to the UK.

I've heard good things about that export company, so fingers crossed these make it over to Canada and the US.

Here's another shot of one of mine sleeping on it's side round the side of the tank (sorry about the slight reflection):



I must say, these aren't the most active of Botiine loaches, but still very enjoyable.

Emma

[Jim Powers]

That certainly is an interesting color for a botinae.