The most anticipated fish in 2009

**fishoman** · 13th Jan 2009, 13:56

I received 2 pc as a gift from a fish collector in northen China last November, I was first amazed by the color combination , they are just like L046 . But they are just too small when I received them and I just simply dump that two fishes into my crs planted tank. Untill recently, I saw them growing in size and this fish has been talk-about intensively in many forums in China and Taiwan.
The scientific name is Protomyzon pachychilus , common name is Panda loach and they were found in the Province of Guangxi , China http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u..._id=1141503666
They are bottom feeder, and like slight alkaline water. So keeping them in acidic soil is not so practical. They can grow up to 5cm.
They are now protected by China government but still not yet listed in CITES, I heard that the natural habitat has been destroyed partially. Lets hope that it wont be another micrrasbora galaxy....and I think the China fishery department has started to really do something to protect this beautiful fish.

pictures courtesy by Flaire Wong and from http://www.guppytaiwan.com

**benny** · 13th Jan 2009, 14:06

What a beautiful fish!!

Cheers,

**wynx** · 13th Jan 2009, 15:41

Awesome! Looks really nice.

**Kampfer** · 13th Jan 2009, 17:19

stunning looking fish..Wish i have one!

**CK Yeo** · 13th Jan 2009, 17:57

I thought it doesn't stay this way when it grows up?

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=50534

ck

**hwchoy** · 13th Jan 2009, 18:09

as stated by Mr. Tree this fish should not be assigned to Protomyzon since it is from southern China.

**johannes** · 13th Jan 2009, 23:46

i dont thing loaches belong to catfish family? correct me if i am wrong

look nice nevertheless...

**fishoman** · 14th Jan 2009, 00:27

Ya, moderator please move to a proper sub-forum, thanks!

**blueblue** · 23rd Jan 2009, 12:11

Hmm, well, this fish seems to be less rare than it's reported (new habitats are found?!) ... anyhow, i am interested in breeding it... does anybody have some experience to share on breeding this or some related species?

**Mez** · 23rd Jan 2009, 12:56

looks like a freshwater juvenile bamboo shark! Very nice..

**torque6** · 25th Jan 2009, 00:10

Yup, very nice indeed.

**flybaits** · 25th Jan 2009, 01:34

simply beautiful!!!

cheer!

**MrTree** · 29th Jan 2009, 14:50

wait untill i go back to china and i will post the pic of the adult...then maybe anyone will think twice before paying for it. hahaha. it's beautiful only when so small...and as far as i know(as i collected myself), two other species, closely related family, look pretty much same when they are so young.