Id My Loaches!

[sadguppy]

I was sold these as yoyo loaches but I am now wondering if they might be Botia histronica?..

Sorry about the poor photo quality, the little blighters kept moving!

At the time they were tiny, now they're around 2 inches. I hope they're not the Botia Rostrata as I don't have room for the really, although I guess I don't mind which type they are, but it would be good to know before I go recommending the wrong fish as mine are cute and playful but not too boisterous and don't show any aggression towards tank mates, not even towards guppies.... and to be honest ifI was a fish, I'd probably pick on guppies.

Opinions? Anyone know a foolproof way to tell the difference?

 

[ShinySideUp]

Look like Yoyo loaches to me. See here for confirmation Yoyo Loach

Never mind. Looked at your link and it's the same. Sorry.

 

[sadguppy]

Yes that's the site I linked above... I'm still not convinced though. I saw some in another LFS yesterday marked histrionica and they were so similar... I don't know if there is one sure physical or behavioural distinction between the two species.

The more pictures I see though, the more I am inclined to think they're not yoyos - see here

 

[Baccus]

I am inclined to agree that you might have B.histrionica, the markings on your loaches are far bolder than I have seen on Yo-yos, but then they have the centre of their black bars almost clear which on B. histrionica only seems to occur at the base of the dorsal fin, but then each loach can vary alot in their markings.
My best guess would be B. histrionica or B. rostrata, and highly doubt they are Yo-Yo

 

[mikev]

I'll second Baccus on this but note that B.kubotai is also a remote possibility... not likely, but still more likely than b.almorhae.

 

[SamLovesCorys]

I was sold these as yoyo loaches but I am now wondering if they might be Botia histronica?..

Sorry about the poor photo quality, the little blighters kept moving!

At the time they were tiny, now they're around 2 inches. I hope they're not the Botia Rostrata as I don't have room for the really, although I guess I don't mind which type they are, but it would be good to know before I go recommending the wrong fish as mine are cute and playful but not too boisterous and don't show any aggression towards tank mates, not even towards guppies.... and to be honest ifI was a fish, I'd probably pick on guppies.

Opinions? Anyone know a foolproof way to tell the difference?

Quote of the century!

 

[sadguppy]

Haha sorry to all the guppy lovers out there but I swear they're the most pointless fish ever!

I guess I will are how big they become and whether their markings change into adulthood. Fortunately if they grow too big they can always switch with the cories in the bigger tank, but I will be annoyed if they turn out to grow to 9 inches when we were expecting 6!

 

[char la]

i have all three species and i would say they look most like rostrata. they're definatly not yoyo's

 

[sadguppy]

Thank you... Well they might turn into big boys then! How big are yours?

 

[char la]

rostrata dont get very big, only about 20cm. which compared to some other loaches ive kept is average. check out the sizes of some syncrossus species! they're pattern, like most botia species, gets better as they get older. mine are still quite young, only about 10cm. they're not the fastest growing fish. They are one of my favourites though, but id have to say my favourte botia has to be botia dario, queen loach. if you can find some id highly recommend getting them. their colour is beautiful! And different botia species mix quite happily with each other.
I must admit, on their own most of the botia species can be really hard to tell the difference! especially when they're young and especially between histronica and rostrata. i could still be wrong!

 

[BigFish01]

I started out positive that its the boita rostrata, I'm still pretty sure thats what they are, as are some of my polka dotted loaches.... I think.. From the research I have done they only get to five or six inches and they can get along with just about anything that cant swallow it... and If thats what they are and mine are they are awesome little fish! very very active. I wish I had half the energy that they do!