Loaches Online Forum

I know there have been some strong feelings aired about these fish but I thought I would post some pictures of them now they have settled in a little, they are very difficult to photograph because they never stop swimming. Unlike all of my other Botia's these just seem hyperactive, in a week I have seen one resting and only one and within 2 minutes it was swimming again, even after lights out all the other loaches settle down but these just keep on going.

I sat for nearly 2 hours last night and these were the best I could get:

Having had my "Hybrid" histrionicas for quite some time now I'm interested in the behaviour of your's. Mine are also hyper-active which actually makes them ultra good VFM. They are always on the go so I know the difficulties of photographing them.

I think these fish are actually very beautiful and more rostrata than anything. I love the boldness of the markings.

Nice fish.

Martin.

Thanks Martin

Nice Botias. How big are they now? I like the markings they have.

Mad Duff wrote:I know there have been some strong feelings aired about these fish ...

Mark, they look great, I hope you may consider also “my feelings” for wanting to see more of them…

In regards to hybrids, I´ve no idea how it´s done and therefore can not participate in a discussion re “pros and cons” of hybrids. I just find it great, that loaches can be bought, without having the rather bitter smack of having taking cute individuals out of their natural habitat – many getting killed on transport – many killed by inexperienced keeping – some killed by MY desire of having wild animals. I don’t know though, whether “doing hybrids” is necessary to breed loaches in general…

Haha, now you can see the difficulty I had in documenting these! I'm glad they are settling in well, even if they do seem rather hyper.

Emma

thanks Mark. please always remember that some of us are interested in more than just moaning about hybrids. im glad that people with lots of experience and knowledge like you and Martin have them

They are gorgeous fish!!

Thanks for the great comments

clownloachfan wrote:How big are they now?

They are around 1 1/2" TL

If you think what a 1.5" rostrata looks like these have immense potential to be stunning adults.

Martin.

Martin Thoene wrote:If you think what a 1.5" rostrata looks like these have immense potential to be stunning adults.

Martin.

That was my original thought.

If they slow down a bit and I do mean If, they look to have silvery flanks then suddenly the change direction and their flanks look golden. Their patterns are constantly changing through shades of grey to black and back again.

Great looking fish

Oooh Helen how cutting , i think you must be meaning me i think you might find there are lots of people who share my views ! thats the beauty of the internet , you can air your points of view ! though not everyone does , thats up to them , b t w as i've said before hybrids aside i think Marks fish collection is amazing !

I do not like hybrids either but these are amazing. My concerns are the making of Frankenstien type hybrids with flowing finnage or body shape that does not suit the requirements of the specie like the Goldfish has endured. This type of coloration and strong body shape are excellent and well received by myself. I would have these anytime. I am concerned with morphing design to increase sales and dyeing or coloring of fish. These exhibit all the charicteristics of the native fish and will help decrease the taking of wild caught although the enviromental threats are as dangerous to the native population IMHO
These fish are superb.

Disgusting looking critters!

We all have our own opinions on such matters and i will stand tall with disagreement on these freaks of nature. No offense to you Mark or Martin (your personal choice) but every time i see Hybrid fish, i cringe!

Fish-keeping is becoming darkened now-a-days with these.