Possible Botia unknown 3?????

[Matthew]

Good evening all,
Last week I picked up three Loaches that I assumed were B. histrionica. These were drop offs and as such the only fish in the tank. After having them at home for a week now it seems to me that one and possibly two of them are not histrionica but perhaps Botia unknown 3. I managed to get one half decent picture and hope it is enough to figure this one out. This loach does and the other seem to not school with the other histrionica but rather stay to themselves which along with the markings got me thinking this could be something different. Have a look and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Matthew

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[Bully]

Looks like Botia Almorhae to me:

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae

The pattern can be varied, and Mad Duff recently picked one up with similar markings to the one you have posted:

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=17663

[Mad Duff]

Yeah thats almorhae, nice fish and markings

[Mike Ophir]

B. almorhae, just different color patterning.

Mike

[Matthew]

Thanks folks,
At the time it looked a bit like the Loach pictured in the Botia unknown 3 species entry. However now that you say almorhae I think I agree. A nice loach just the same! I will transport him over to the B. almorhae tank this afternoon. Thanks all again!

Matthew