Loaches Online Forum

Anybody recognize this cutie? S/he came into the LFS as a "Queen Botia Loach" and that's all I know!

well, that certainly does not look like MY queen botia!!!
That is a big sucker, isn't it!!!

Beautiful fish. He is shaped like a tiger, but I don't know who has such lovely yellow fins. If he is a tiger, look for aggressive behavior, although my tigers have been pussy cats.

Thanks for the warm reception! In some ways, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one stumped by this fish ID.

Starsplitter 7: Looking at pictures,I think you're right - it's a tiger. You should get some kind of reward from the Loach gods for your great loachy expertise and service.

I'm assuming that the fish is somewhat washed out due to the stress of capture, but I'm plumping for Syncrossus helodes based on what I can see of the angle of the stripes. Does it ever have vertically oriented, dark oval spots on the belly?

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/syncrossus-helodes

http://www.loaches.com/articles/telling ... ssus-genus

Martin.

Martin, I can definitely see spots on the belly - I think helodes is a dead ringer! What do you make of the yellow fins?

It's so nice to meet you; I really enjoyed building your River Tank Manifold. I've included a large circular spray bar with mine - It was just set up a few weeks ago so we'll see how it goes. I also just got my first S. lineolata: I found one alone in the LFS yesterday!

Thanks,

Ellen

Mmm that a nice Helodes ,its only washed out due to being netted , looks in great condition ,it looks to be one of the stongly coloured ones ie ,plenty of yellow in the fins

Thanks piggy.