Mystery Loach

[SgtMajorWiggles]

Anybody recognize this cutie? S/he came into the LFS as a "Queen Botia Loach" and that's all I know!

[glenna]

well, that certainly does not look like MY queen botia!!!
That is a big sucker, isn't it!!!

[starsplitter7]

Beautiful fish. He is shaped like a tiger, but I don't know who has such lovely yellow fins. If he is a tiger, look for aggressive behavior, although my tigers have been pussy cats.

[SgtMajorWiggles]

Thanks for the warm reception! In some ways, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one stumped by this fish ID.

[SgtMajWiggles]

Starsplitter 7: Looking at pictures,I think you're right - it's a tiger. You should get some kind of reward from the Loach gods for your great loachy expertise and service.

[Martin Thoene]

I'm assuming that the fish is somewhat washed out due to the stress of capture, but I'm plumping for Syncrossus helodes based on what I can see of the angle of the stripes. Does it ever have vertically oriented, dark oval spots on the belly?

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/syncrossus-helodes

http://www.loaches.com/articles/telling ... ssus-genus

Martin.

[SgtMajWiggles]

Martin, I can definitely see spots on the belly - I think helodes is a dead ringer! What do you make of the yellow fins?

It's so nice to meet you; I really enjoyed building your River Tank Manifold. I've included a large circular spray bar with mine - It was just set up a few weeks ago so we'll see how it goes. I also just got my first S. lineolata: I found one alone in the LFS yesterday!

Thanks,

Ellen

[piggy4]

Mmm that a nice Helodes ,its only washed out due to being netted , looks in great condition ,it looks to be one of the stongly coloured ones ie ,plenty of yellow in the fins

[SgtMajWiggles]

Thanks piggy.