Identification assistance please

[g2dawgs]

I recently purchased a five loaches from a LFS. They were identified as Tiger Botia's. I've researched Tigers and am pretty confident that they are indeed Syncrossus hymenophysa. I have noticed that at least 2 of them have red coloration along the upper edge of their dorsal fins. None of the photographs I've found show red on the dorsal fins nor has there been any mention of any red coloration. Since references indicate there are no obvious differences between the male and female fish. Is it possible that this red coloration may be an indicator or am I looking at injured fish. The markings are in the same locations on both fish so I think an injury in the same body location would be odd. All of the fish are the same size, about 3" total length.

Thanks for any input

[Dave Rinaldo]

Maybe Syncrossus hymenophysa

[NancyD]

Here's an article http://www.loaches.com/articles/telling ... ssus-genus that shows some species with red on the dorsal

[wasserscheu]

… None of the photographs I've found show red on the dorsal fins nor has there been any mention of any red coloration …

My S. Hymenophysa, often but not always, show red ornaments in the dorsal and caudal.

See pic’s on page 3 in this link

http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... c&start=30

Their black spot in the dorsal, gets VERY intense when they think they get attacked. It looks like a warning light than.

There colour varies a lot. There body stripes can be filled (like on other tigers) or just the shiny borderlines show. The intensity of the red in dorsal and caudal varies with their mood. The black spot as mentioned above and the entire body colour intensity (as with all other loaches) varies by mood.