Botia sidthimunki

[QueenDustBunny]

On AquaBid these are listed. Can anyone who keeps these guys pass on any information? Are they still on the endangered list? Is the price decent? Thank you for your help with these guys.

[Trapper_seven]

I don't have any, but have been wanting some for a while.

I gather they are still on the endangered list in the wild, but after they nearly became extinct they started having some luck with captive breeding. I believe they may have also found another wild source (I am sure I read this somewhere). Hopefully someone can clarify this better for you.

Re the price, I'm from Vancouver Canada and we don;t see them much up here. About 3 years ago a LFS had them for 30.00/ea, or 8 for 200.00 CAD. Currently another LFS has them for 18.00/ea, which would be about 16.00 USD. The site which is taken bids wants a minimum of 60.00 + 30.00 shipping, so 90.00 USD for 10 fish. Compared to what I would have to pay it's a good price.

[mamaschild]

I don't have any either, but not for lack of trying

I've only seen them here locally once, and they were $18.99 each. I asked to have them ordered one other time and was told they were illegal to import to California????

[Barracuda518]

I cant find them around here either. Definately a loach on my wish list.

[palaeodave]

Um, isn't that just a chain loach? I see them all the time in my LFS. Didn't realise they were endangered or hard to get in the hobby!

[Mark in Vancouver]

They're still on the IUCN red list - so endangered in their habitat, yes. The ones appearing in shops and online seem to be pond-bred. IE not wild caught.

I have six in my kuhli tank, and they're neat little loaches. All the curiosity and bravado of the larger Botias packed into a tiny, energetic fish. If you track some down, keep them in the usual loach water - soft, acidic, lots of hiding spots, and maybe a little warmer like around 79 or 80F. Add some current if you can. They eat EVERYTHING.

[NancyD]

Definately a cool little fish. Day active, frisky, don't damage plants. I have 6 alone in a 20g long but I'm cycling a 75g for them & 6 striatas. I'm hoping to add to them in a while. Stores around here, greater Boston & beyond, have them sometimes for ~$12-15 for the 1/2in. (& now smaller-- see tiny sid thread) I had 2 sids many years ago in a small community tank but they are much happier & more playful in a group.
Nancy