Loaches Online Forum

Just wondering if anyone here knows the I.D. of this loach here. TIA

Is that Schistura corica?

The experts will tell you which one it is.

Oh yeah, I got it from Petsmart while looking to get the horseface loach. It's "branded" as horseface by Petsmart. He's the only one in the tank mixed with tons of horseface.

Doubts it is Schistura corica... the bars are a bit too regular, more toward S.Beavani and there is a dot (rather than a bar) in the base of the tail -- this would indicate that it is a Nemacheilus rather than a Schistura.... (or a juv that did not form a bar yet?)

How large is it?

It's about 2 inches. I also thought at first that it was S. beavani. But the "dot" made me think otherwise...

I'm wondering about whether this could be a very young Nemacheilus pallidus. Is the upper lobe of the caudal fin longer than the bottom lobe?

Emma

I think the bottom one is shorter...

I'm fairly certain it's a young Zipper Loach (Acanthocobitis botia). The spot on the caudal penduncle is the give away.

The black basal caudal mark (spot) on the caudal peduncle is central and not high enough for it to be Acanthocobitis. Also, from what I can see in the pics, and Hlie's comments, the tail appears to be forked, and in Acanthocobitis it is almost truncate.

Emma

It is most certainly a Nemacheilus species of some sort. Very juvenile at the moment to tell.

Not a Zipper..but I had to dig out photos of mine when they were juv's to make sure.....but if it retains juv pattern at 2", would not this suggest that the adults are 4"+?

Hlie, whatever this is, it would be interesting to see how it develops...perhaps you would consider taking a photo every couple of months....

will do. thx for the help guys.

I agree with Emma that it is a young Nemacheilus, possibly masyai, pallidus or even platiceps. We do need to see it as it grows.