Loaches Online Forum

These tiny little beauties came in the other week under the Schistura alticrista nametag. They appear different to the fish Mick recently purchased under the same name, and can change colour dramatically from a purpley-grey to white with dark stripes:















These were just a few quick shots I managed to take in the stock tank several days ago. Will have to get them into the photo tank soon for closer shots.

So the question is, are these S. alticrista? I don't think they have enough dorsal fin rays. They are 1.75" TL at the moment and seem quite well bahaved with each other.

Emma

Nice, I'm ashamed to say I've seen a Schistura for real, only on pictures. They are on my wish list of future fish to keep.

that is a lovely looking fish

Thank you.

I'm just bumping this thread to see if anyone has any ideas on ID. I know we have no location info to go on, but do these look familiar to anyone?

Emma

Lovely little chaps!!

They remind me of a unknown schistura specimen that i used to keep. I never did find out which species it was, nor the location. My little chap stayed just over 1 inch TL in the 4 years that i kept him. We do have a profile on him. >> http://www.loaches.com/species-index/sc ... -unknown07

Thanks Graeme (and it is good to see you about on here again!). I knew these reminded me of a loach I'd seen before, and I think yours has the same number of dorsal fin rays. Did you ever see the colour change I mentioned, in your specimen? Also, I suspect because you just had the one, it was a contaminant with something else, right? Don't suppose you remember what it came in with do you? (long shot I know). Mine came from a well-known German wholesaler, so unfortunately I have no idea where these were caught.

Emma

Corr* Remember back that far? I have damaged brain cells from alcohol... Seriously though Emma, i do remember seeing the little chap in with some Schistura savona. The tank had just 4 Schistura savona's in with this little contaminant. Possible location of Bangladesh, India and Nepal? Another little point on the Schistura alticrista, i remember seeing a picture from Neil's camera and it seemed that the Schistura alticrista held a very broad/long face.

Yeah i remember mine changing colour regularly. One minute pale, one minute showing strong colourations. This could be one of those Indian Schistura's. Reminds me of the Crimson debate in a way.

it doe'snt look like the same fish i got under the name alticrista, hmmm
sorry no pics to show you my exterior memory has been corrupted some how and most of the last two years pics are in there.

mick

here's the only pic i had in PB, these fish were sent over as alticrista's by Kamphol to my mates shop Pier aquatics.
the minimum size of the fish was around 2.5 SL.
but note the width of the caudal peduncle and also the length of the head.
here's the pic.


mick

I agree that its def not alticrista. I'm struggling with this one. The pattern matches juvenile S. waltoni described and pictured in Kottelats Indochinese Nemacheilines but doesnt seem the same as the adult (pictured in Kottelat and also on the species Index).

Stumped for the time being. Really hard without knowing where it is from. Can the supplier in Germany come up with anything?

Thank you, El Darko. I will try for info from the supplier, but I won't hold my breath on this one. I should also mention that they were extortionately priced, so I hope I wasn't stitched up!

Emma

Wow! They are really cool schistura!!!!

BTW, i hope my fish is the real alticrista, as my pic and a short description is in this months Amazonas, the info was given to me by Kamphol.

mick
ps, can't get anything in UK mags but Amazonas want more, figure it.

mickthefish wrote:BTW, i hope my fish is the real alticrista, as my pic and a short description is in this months Amazonas, the info was given to me by Kamphol.

mick
ps, can't get anything in UK mags but Amazonas want more, figure it.

Looks like the real one to me Mick. Kamphol knows his stuff. Keep sending em stuff!

Ta bud, how's it goin OH unshaven one.

mick