Distinguish between a Tiger Loach and a Zebra Loach? How?

[CoryOto]

I'm looking for a definitive (i.e., scientific, with web site source) description about how to distinguish between a Tiger Loach (Syncrossus (formerly Botia) hymenophysa) and a Zebra Loach (Botia striata).

I recently bought what I thought was a Zebra Loach, but the store clerk thinks it is a Tiger Loach. Their order sheet does not use scientific names.

In my community tank, with Barbs, Tetras, Rasboras, and Corydoras, my new fish is quite mild mannered and reclusive, reinforcing my thought that it is a Striata instead of a Hymenophysa.

I have seen websites saying that one is often, mistakenly, called the other. So, how do we officially distinguish between them (visually)?

Any assistance in this regard will be appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. Sorry, but I can't post a pic yet. My digital camera is in the shop.

[The.Dark.One]

From Kottelat:

Syncrossus:
"Distinguished from all other genera of Botiinae by the unique presence of a sickle-shaped anterior process of the premaxilla, surrounding a cavity between left and right processes; rostral process short, without ridge along inner edge.
Distinguished from other lineages within the subfamily Botiinae by the following combination of characters: Mental lobe not developed in a barbel, with a pair of fleshy papillae at its anterior edge. Fronto-parietal fontanelle large, wide. Anterior chamber of gas bladder partly covered by bony capsule; posterior chamber large. Top of supraethmoid narrow. Optic foramen large. Suborbital spine not strongly curved backwards, bifid. Head naked (based on Taki, 1972: 74, 76). Colour pattern: regular, narrow bars throughout life, in some species with overimposed longitudinal rows of black spots."

However, the easiest way to tell a Syncrossus from a Botia is that in Botia the mental lobe is developed into a barbel, whereas in Syncrossus it isnt. So Botia have two extra barbels than Syncrossus (the mental barbels).

[plaalye]

Have you looked at the pictures in the species index?

[CoryOto]

What species index, where?

I have looked at pictures where ever I can find them. Most Tiger Loaches seem to have wider, and almost vertical, bands behind the dorsal. Most Zebra Loaches, and my fish, seem to have much narrower bands, that are less vertical.

[Diana]

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pi ... e-pictures

Zebras seem to me to have a shorter, more rounded face. Striping is very close together, and very fine.
The Tiger Loaches seem to have a more sloping, stretched out face.

[mickthefish]

hi coryoto and welcome to LOL, hope you enjoy yourself.
here's two pics, the first is a tiger, S berdmori, and the second is a B striata.



if you want to find the species index, scroll up this page to where the forum index is you'll see loaches online with an open book by the side of that once you press that you will see species index to the left.

mick

[CoryOto]

Thanks, to everyone, for your helpful responses.

After reconsideration, and especially in light of the head shape and the black spot on the dorsal fin, I believe my fish IS a Syncrossus hymenophysa (Tiger Loach).

[mickthefish]

any chance of you getting a pic of your fish?,
we like seeing other peoples fish and tanks.

mick

[CoryOto]

I'll try. I have an older digital camera I haven't used in awhile. I'll give it shot.