Loaches Online Forum

shari2 wrote:Do they all have the highly visible dots along the face line/head that can be seen in some of the shots? Any idea of sexual dimorphism as of yet?

I've never thought of that one, Shari. These are parts of the lateral line system on the head of the fish. The supraorbital canal runs on top of the eye and the infraorbital canal runs below it. I've seen a few of my Schistura's with this highly visible and a few without.

Thanks all. I need to spend some more time observing them (been busy busy busy) but there are a few that have more of a 'rose' colouration rather than the bright pinky red 'lipstick' colour. I think these are likely to be females.

There was also one really strange l-o-n-g specimen in this batch, which whilst no chunkier, is easily 1/3 longer than any of the others. I managed to get one pic of this fish, but it is not the best. Will post it in a bit.

It is difficult to make comment about the pores as it is difficult to convey just how small these fish are to the human eye.

Emma

Here's a pic of the strange extra-long specimen:



Emma

I was thinking along the same lines as Martin in regards to the sexual dimorphism. I have observed several other Schistura species in my aquaria at home which I know to be male and female and the resemblances are there.

It would be interesting to note whether the intense coloration fades while in captivity or not. I remember reading that Botia histrionica loses its golden coloration once displaced from its native habitat, could be something in its natural diet.

Mike

That longun has a weird dorsal and the caudal seems deeper forked.

Martin.

Mike Ophir wrote: It would be interesting to note whether the intense coloration fades while in captivity or not. I remember reading that Botia histrionica loses its golden coloration once displaced from its native habitat, could be something in its natural diet.

Mike

Ha! Great minds think alike , eh? I'd just posted something along the same lines over on petfrd. My guess is that the colours will fade as the fish mature as in Schistura balteata. But it wouldn't surprise me if the pinky red colours become less intense due to a particular something that may not be found in manufactured fish foods. They'll get a nice big varied selection at the shop though, so I guess it's 'wait and see' time. They won't go on sale for a few weeks yet, we like to keep an eye on them and fatten them up a bit first.

Martin, yes, that long one is weird. I thought the tail appeared to look different.

My contact is asking the supplier some questions about location etc, so hopefully they'll come up trumps with a bit more info for us. I'll post here as I hear back from them.

Emma

Yeah, very much different.

Well, what can one say ,without duplicating the excited comments already voiced ? dull bottom feeders huh, these must be quite as red as any freshwater fish i can think of ! WONDERFUL, well done Emma .

The Indian supplier has got back to me and said that these loaches were caught in the southern state of Kerala. He's trying to get more in-depth info from the collector, so if I hear anything, I'll post it here.

Emma

Emma,

Awesome fish, awesome pics, and as someone else said, good thing you are not close or I would be broke, and perhaps divorced, j/k, lol!

Kris

Thanks Kris!

With regards to an ID for this species, there is quite the discussion going on over on petfrd: http://www.petfrd.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21412

Emma

I've heard back from my Indian supplier with the following:

The crimson loaches are from the Nilambur area of Kerala, bordering the state of Karnataka in south India . They are from a protected forest area and hence difficult to get any more.

Over on petfrd there is discussion that these may be S. denisoni.

Emma

Emma, any additional information on how these chaps are behaving? I'm still pondering on how many to keep.

Hi Graeme,

Sadly I've not had too much time to observe these, but whenever I have glanced into the tank they are being fairly fiesty with each other. They seem to hop over to where another is resting and bite/nudge the other one out of the way. Nothing too horrendous though. I reckon a small group would probably be ok in a large enough tank with lots of hidey holes. These are small sized loaches and I can't see them getting as big as some of the Nemacheilines. They do seem to enjoy the current a lot also.

Emma

Lovely!

Thanks Emma.