Loaches Online Forum

I never noticed that Mike , it certainly has the red nostrils and black dorsal with blueish spots the same as the other two. I will keep an eye on that one and see if there are any other differences, at the moment they are pretty shy but hopefully they will be out and about in the next couple of days.

I *think* it is a stellatus-type Gastro (exact species unclear, classification is a mess).... If so, it should be a little less outgoing than Cteno's, you may want to pay attention to this.

I have just had a look at it and it has the dorsal and body markings of the Ctenocephalus but the same tail markings as the Stellatus, so could this be a different type or possibly a cross breed

"Stellatus" is a part of a complex of a few species, I don't think they are all id-able right now.

I did see a fish like this before, and its body markings looked like the dots were slightly distorted into dashes..which may be the case on yours too.

Given that nobody ever bred Gastros, speculations of cross-breeding may be premature,..but one never knows. Another species or a local variation is still more likely.

In all cases interesting, and more importantly, a clearly happy-healthy looking animal...hopefully, this lasts.

You guys are going to have to stop this, I can see another tank being set up at my house Researching these little guys are the reason I found your forum and you all have done nothing but feed the fire What a great purchase

Check out G. scitulus and see if you think the guy with the red tail is that species. I have seen red on the tip of the tails of that species.
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ga ... n-scitulus
Notice the difference in the tail and dorsal coloration between scitulus and ctenocephalus.

The Gastromyzon scitulus seems a possibility. Double check the dorsal fin colouration Mark. I can see an image in the Borneo suckers book with this rosy tint on the caudal fin.

I will have a good look at it when it finally comes out to play

Ive just been back to the shop and got 2 more G. Ctenocephalus and 3 more G. Stellatus, as soon as I get some pics I will post them

I have G. ctenocephalus with some red in the tail.

Martin.

I have managed to have a good look at them this afternoon, after adding today's new ones there was quite a bit of movement in the tank.

I have looked at the dorsals and yes there are differences now that I know what I am looking for. Apart from the 5 definite G. Ocellatus I now have at least 5 almost definite G. Stellatus, 2 definite G. Ctenocephalus and 3 almost definite G Scitulus.

The differences between the G. Ctenocephalus and G Scitulus appear very subtle at first but then as you look at them a little longer the differences stand out like a sore thumb

I think the main difference which stands out very well is the row of spots that run along the caudal peduncle between the dorsal and the tail. Once I realised that there was a difference the other differences were quite visible like the subtle difference in markings on the dorsal itself and the fact that the G Scitulus seems to have more smaller spots compared to the larger more widely spread spots of the G. Ctenocephalus.

There has been quite a lot of shoving going on between the G. Ocellatus and the largest G. Ctenocephalus and G Scitulus, while the G. Stellatus seem quite happy to keep out of it and do their own thing which seems to be not a lot .

I will post some more photos soon

Excellent stuff!

Here's the pics of today's newbies

G Scitulus





G. Stellatus



These are pictures of the little shoving match the went on this afternoon between the largest G. Ctenocephalus and a G. Ocellatus, the pics are not great because they were going at it right down the back of the tank

Lovely, they seem to be interacting with each other straight away (even in the photo tank by the looks of it) which must be a very encouraging sign.

Emma

Defiantly look active and healthy!

Superb!

Thankyou

They certainly do seem to have settled in well, I enjoyed watching the two G Scitulus interacting in the photo tank, they also started interacting with the G Scitulus that I got yesterday as soon as they went into the tank.

I was very surprised to see the interaction between the G. Ctenocephalus and a G. Ocellatus as well, hopefully it just shows how well they have settled