the new loaches

[55gal]

i have had the 6 Botia kubotai loaches for about 3 weeks now and they are fun to watch. they are out alot and will swim together in groups or alone. they love the current, and thanks to ??? someone here for the advice "Botia kubotai like cracks rather than caves like some other loaches."
so here are some pictures.




and my Flying Fox

[Dunga]

Hi,

nice fishes and pics.

[glenna]

very pretty fish and nice tank!
Hey, regarding that flying fox...... how can you tell it from a true siamese algae eater? I recently got two "true SAE" and they look JUST like you fox!!!
Hmmmmmmm.....

So far, they have been very helpful algae eaters and have not picked on any of the other fish. Of course, this is not a big tank (29g) and with only raspora, ottos and a very handsome albino bristle nose!

[Sharkscott2]

If you look at the flying fox picture it has 4 stripes on it

Dark brown on top
Coppery / tan
Black
Light gray / silver on the bottom





The SAE will only have three lines.

Dark brown/gray (maybe not as dark at the picture above)
Black
Light gray/silver

Also on the SAE the black line will extend through the tail, sometimes very small SAEs won't have developed this coloration.





The false SAE has nearly identical stripes to the SAE however it's black stripe won't extend through the tail. It stops right at the base of the tail. There is also a difference in the shape of their head but the tail stripe is the easiest way to tell.

[55gal]

Glenna are yours flying foxes or not?
I ask because my fox really is not an algae eater.If he is he sucks at it.
And thanks to Sharkscott2 for telling us the difference. Good to know i have what i thought i had.
I have read here and i unfortunatly believe PET SHOPS will say just about anithing to sell you something.

[Sharkscott2]

I frequent several fish stores and they will call any of the three a Siamese Algae Eater or a Siamese Flying Fox.

[Katy]

What great healthy-looking Kubs! Around here we get them about 1-2 cm long and really skinny.... Yours are so beautiful!

[55gal]

Thanks for the nice comments.
About 2 hours after i posted here my Loaches started swimming in circles in the middle of my tank, nonstop for the last 12 hours. they were having such fun i took a video. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy6YmNMScqE

[glenna]

nice video..... loaches on caffeine!

Hey and regarding my SAE versus flying fox question, I think mine must be SAE's. If there are three stripes the upper and lower are just a tiny little thread, but the black stripe is broad and goes completely through the tail. Plus, when they sit on a log or leaf, they use their front ventral (?) fins to prop themselves up. Was trying to take a picture but the little devil will NOT come out of the hollow log to get his picture taken!!
Thanks for helping me tell the difference!

[55gal]

And as to my last post - now the loaches have been swimming in circles for several days now?
Must be having fun.