Loach Identification?

TrebleClef84 · Post by **TrebleClef84** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:39 pm

The pet store identified him as a zebra loach, but looking at pictures of zebra loaches, it is plain to see that this one is NOT a zebra. I couldn't find a picture in the species index that fit him exactly.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1925/dscf2579h.jpg

plaalye · Post by **plaalye** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:27 pm

Difficult to tell by the pic but I'm guessing a young botia dario.

TrebleClef84 · Post by **TrebleClef84** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:46 pm

I will try to get a better picture, but they are terribly shy.

I don't think they are of the half moon body type. They have a longer body with a split tail. Their eyes are not directly on either side of their heads, but kind of on the top/sides. They don't burrow, but they are a bit territorial towards non-loaches. I don't know if all loaches can blink, but these definitely do...it's adorable. I THINK they have tiny barbels around their mouths...it's hard to tell.

edit: maybe a chinese loach? http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pa ... jiangensis

And depending on your browser you can click the picture again and make it huge.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:52 am

Looks more like a Schistura or Nemecheilus species to me.

ch.koenig · Post by **ch.koenig** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:05 am

hi
a better picture would help. is there an eye-amarking?
a list to look at
http://images.google.ch/imgres?imgurl=h ... %26hl%3Dde
I've seen a similar one lately on a website about a trip of Tan and others near hong kong. can't find it at the moment.
cheers charles

mickthefish · Post by **mickthefish** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:15 am

it has the same markings and body shape of Schistura denisoni.

mick

TrebleClef84 · Post by **TrebleClef84** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:33 am

Still trying to get a close up full body shot, but as soon as you get near the tank, they teleport under the centerpiece.

Headshot:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8185/dscf2582y.jpg

edit of last shot:
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6113/closeupr.jpg

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:59 am

I was thinking more along the lines of Schistura alticrista..

TrebleClef84 · Post by **TrebleClef84** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:49 am

I think that may be it. They don't have that weird bump before their tail, but that may be because they are still so small. Thanks!

This is as good as it is going to get...I'm not the best of photographers.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7951/dscf2589.jpg

plaalye · Post by **plaalye** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:09 pm

Boy was I off! Nice fish, glad you got it right.

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Loach Identification?

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