ID: What are these loach and algae eater?

[Verminator]

I've been searching for a few months now and i can't find out what this loach is. I was given him by an LFS who had one left out of a batch of 20 that got sold, and they couldnt sell him for months so i was given him for free.



He's an inquisitive lil fella, always chasing my clown loach, flying foxes and generally trying to accompany any other fish in my tank.

Anyone know what he is. I always refere to him as my "skunk loach" just because of his colouration and pattern. Help finding out either or both his common name and/or his latin name would much be appreciated.

Also while were on the subject of naming my fish, anyone shed any light of what type of flying fox this is, unless ofcourse it is just known as a flying fox.



I ordered him under the header Siamese Algae Eater, although for some reason i don't think he is one. He was less than an inch when i bought him, he's jsut over 3 inches now and i'm sure he's fully grown.

[Panut]

for the first picture i suspect its called boltina.

[spgan]

Appears to be the 'Dwarf Chained Loach' (Botia Sidthimunki). You can try google it. Hope it helps.

- joegan

[Panut]

oh yeah. sorry. its Botia. not botina.

[FishSoup]

Given the orangish/reddish colouring discernible in the flying fox's pelvic and dorsal fins, i'd say its a False SAE. Can't really see the tail, but if the black stripe does not extend into the caudal fin and instead terminates at the caudal peduncle, then the I.D. would be confirmed.

See this page for more details http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

[Quixotic]

The dwarf chain loach has been assigned to another genus, so it is now known as Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki. They do better in groups of 5 or more, so do consider getting more of them in the future.

As for the flying fox, my educated guess would be the actual flying fox itself, Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus.

[Verminator]

Given the orangish/reddish colouring discernible in the flying fox's pelvic and dorsal fins, i'd say its a False SAE. Can't really see the tail, but if the black stripe does not extend into the caudal fin and instead terminates at the caudal peduncle, then the I.D. would be confirmed.

See this page for more details http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

That orange/red you say you see is actually the bogwood showing through his transparent fins Hehe, he's actually just black/grey/white pretty much. I shall have to check his caudal fin tommorow to see where the black stripe ends. He's annoyingly camera shy, happy to swim around all day whilst im there, but the moment i get a camera out he refuses to come out.

Thank you for the help everyone, especially on my ickle loach Makes me realise what his desperate attempts to join the other fish actually mean. He's lonely, and i shall be actively seeking 4 more companions for him soon, possibly even more perhaps. I'm well aware of there slightly higher cost but its worth it, he's adoreable .

Shall update tommorow just for the records as to if my SAE is a true SAE or not. I doubt he a true SAE, due to him not liking thread algae But he devours the rest.

Thanks again all

[Verminator]

Ok, i have a true strand of SAE. The black stripe definately ends right at the tip of the caudal fin. Thats a pleasant surrprise. Checked both my SAE and they both indeed have the black stripe all the way through. Thank you all who helped ID them.

[Quixotic]

Does the black band have zigzag patterns or is it smooth? From your picture, it doesn't really look zigzag to me.

I am actually still not totally convinced it being a true SAE, considering other characteristics (white seam of fins, top half of the fish is very dark, very distinct golden line above the black band) of the fish.

[Verminator]

I bought it under C. Siamensis. Although your first I.D of it actually being "Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus" more likely. The latter mentioned there is said to be not as good as C. Siamensis at controlling/eating algae, but mine seems to be very good at it. Except the fact they leave the brown thread algae, which is currently under control and looks quite natural in my tank they do a good job of eating it, which makes me wonder.

I think i should stick to my original I.D of them - Flying Fox, haha. Just leave it as broad as that. Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus certainly looks the more likely at the moment after looking into it more on the net.

[bryan]

Yes. Try to get more of his friends to join the little fella soon.You won't regret it! Get some hiding places for them to sleep when the lights are out.

[Verminator]

I finally got a decent picture of my "SAE", hopefully this one should shed some light on his actual identity.



I don't think that changes any ones view, although this pic clearly shows his stripe going into the caudal fin.

[Quixotic]

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus.

[Verminator]

Can't say i disagree with you there. Thank-you. Google images show pretty much a 100% identical match. Cheers.

[Verminator]

Just thought i'd update the situation. Finally found a shop selling more Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki "Dwarf chain loach". Immediately bought 3 more to accompany my lonely 1. The affect was almost instant. After a day of them being shy and skuling away inbetween my low growing plants they are now free swimming. There just less than an inch long and they are cheeky little fellas. Constantly chasing my tetra's, flying fox, clown loach and even to my surprise they chase my Jack Dempseys (gutsy fella's i must admit). So i now have 4 As recommended by Quixotic.

Just as a note, as my dempseys mature and get older the other tankmates will slowly be rehomed in my 2ft Otherwise they'de become fish soup

[avant]

Good news on your Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki. Hope you will continue to have fun with them! They certainly strive in a group