Possible Sewellia 'Spotted' spotted in LFS

[TeeCeeJay]

I was browsing one of my LFS today and I noticed in their 'Coldwater Plec' (I know don't get me started) tank they had what appeared to be a single Spotted Sewellia.

I know Emma posted the other day saying that they are rare imports that basically come in as contaminants with batches of other Hillstream Loaches so I was very surprised to see this in an LFS that usually has a less than comprehensive stock list.

Sadly, I am unable to give him/her the home it deserves because my river tank is not up and running at the moment, otherwise I would now be posting photos of my latest aquisition.

If any UK members are interested, PM me and I'll pass you the details.

[Emma Turner]

Hi TC,
How big would you say this specimen was, and are you 100% sure it wasn't a dark Gastro with light spots? The Sewellia sp. 'spotted' only come in with batches of Sewellia lineolata, as their habitats are said to overlap. I think most of these stores who market hillstream loaches as 'coldwater plecs' tend to buy in batches of 'Borneo Suckers' which are usually mixed bags of Gastromyzon sp. I'd be interested to know which shop this is if it's not too far from our 2nd MA branch in Lincoln.
Emma

[TeeCeeJay]

Hi Emma,

PM sent to you just now.

TC

[TeeCeeJay]

Was back in the LFS again this evening and it's still there. This time though it was on the front glass and I got a really good look at it. It's definatley a Swellia and probably still a spotted one at that , but it was a bit darker than the ones in the species index on the main site. It could be the flash in the photos that has made them look quite bright and yellowish.

Dumb question but - Do they look darker under 'normal' aquarium lighting? (than in the species profile pics, see below)


I told Mrs Jay how rare they are and she told me to "get off my ar$e and finish the river tank then!"
Things have stalled a bit since i did this (see below)
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ght=#63513


However, I am nervous about diving straight in with a rare species as my first and sole inhabitant of a new tank.

Should I just let this one go and make sure I'm capable before I take the plunge?

And before you ask, I wouldn't cycle the tank with just this fish in. I have 2 mature tanks, one of which has a fluval 3 internal aimed straight at an algae-covered cobble and i could put the manifold filters in the fluval to get some bacteria established on them before running the river tank.

Help and sensible advice required please.

TC

[mickthefish]

TC, what you waiting for, go get it, until your river tank is up and running get a Q tank on the go with a powerhead in, before someone else nabs it.

mick

[Emma Turner]

They can indeed look much darker 'in the flesh' compared to some pics taken with a flash. Have a look at some of the pics of the adults in my breeding article: http://www.loaches.com/articles/the-spa ... evelopment (not the first pic, but a few of the ones lower down - 4th and 5th in particular).

Emma

[TeeCeeJay]

They can indeed look much darker 'in the flesh' compared to some pics taken with a flash. Have a look at some of the pics of the adults in my breeding article: http://www.loaches.com/articles/the-spa ... evelopment (not the first pic, but a few of the ones lower down - 4th and 5th in particular).

Emma

I knew there were other pics of them somewhere, I just couldn't find them.

Right, now I know what it is, I just need to decide what to do about it.

Mick, my heart agrees with you, my head says otherwise (that just may be my split personality!)

Emma, are they really that rare?

Will it kick start me into assimilation? (well duh!?)

Will I regret it?

I'll sleep on it. I'm back there tommorrow anyway dropping off some Silver Molly fry that are surplus to requirements. (damn those test fish )

'til soon

TC

[zeldaou]

With 33 levels of increasing difficulty Space Waves you’re always motivated to beat your last score, pushing you to improve gradually.

[tonyadams]

Wow, seeing the possibility of Sewellia 'Spotted' appearing in World Guesser LFS is exciting! If so, this is great news for those who love cleaner fish and unique fish species. Hopefully, there will be clearer pictures and more detailed information about this fish's origin and breeding conditions soon. If anyone has raised or has experience with Sewellia, please share more!