Loaches Online Forum

Hi folks,
These showed up at my LFS as "redlipped loach". Definitely 2 different species. I'm thinking the bigger, broader one is S. Robusta and the others maybe S. Pulchra?? What do you think? By the profle of the robusta looks like he needs a grr tank, too bad, sure is beautiful!! If the others are S. Pulchra their profile fits my river tank. Sorry about the pics. The shop was trying to close and I had to hurry. Thank for looking!

I can't see the profile of your other loach well enough but by the looks of it, it could indeed be a Sinibotia pulchra. Second pic clearly shows a Sinibotia robusta.

Thanks Blue!

Sorry for the double post. It didn't show up the first time on my screen so I reposted it. Deleted.

I saw that pic in your first post and I also thought it is a Sinibotia pulchra.

Looks very similar to the Sinibotia pulchra that I have, its a little on the thin side but I have found that they tend to fatten up quickly when give a better diet than they receive in most shops.

Thanks MD. I thought they looked a bit gaunt also, they've only been in the shop for 2 days. Probably been living in plastic bags for awhile.
How do you find the robusta? In the profile it says they are fiesty but I've read a few posts where people say they show no or little aggression. Have you kept them in a peaceful tank with hillstreams? They sure are a lovely fish
And I'd love to keep some.

S. robusta can be feisty but you'll find that Sinibotia pulchra are very well behaved fish. I've kept them in with much smaller Hillstream Loaches with no problems.

Martin.

Thanks Martin!

I agree with Martin,, the robusta is a bit intolerant of others not a very good comunity botia... (fiesty is guess) somewhat like my morletti .. similar nature except the robusta hid more .. Pulchra very easy goin botia..

I'll have to resist my impulse and wait till I have a suitable tank for the Robusta.

plaalye wrote:I'll have to resist my impulse and wait till I have a suitable tank for the Robusta.

What are you going to do with it? My friend is looking forward to getting some of those Sinibotia. I'll be getting the lot when they become available. Thank goodness. Graeme's Grrr tank convinced me I must have one if I want Syncrossus.

They're still in the shop Blue. They let me come in and take a few quick pics to identify what the fish actually were before I bought them. Where are you? If you're nearby PM me, we'll see what we can work out, if they're still there. I'm going back to the shop today.

plaalye wrote:They're still in the shop Blue. They let me come in and take a few quick pics to identify what the fish actually were before I bought them. Where are you? If you're nearby PM me, we'll see what we can work out, if they're still there. I'm going back to the shop today.

Hi Plaalye,

Unfortunately, I'm too far away living in the Philippines.