Loaches Online Forum

Some time ago I was given 2 Botia Rostrata:


I was told at the time that they could actually be different loaches, any way this is how they look now:

Still Botia Rostrata


Botia Kubotai


The change was quite sudden once they had settled in to my 44 gallon tank, but for the previous 12 months in a friends tank they looked almost identical.

hmm i can still see a small difference in the first picture though...

but it's e very small difference

The Botia Rostrata is the front fish in the top picture, the possible Botia Kubotai is the back fish in the first picture. It is quite amazing how much its markings have changed in a few months.

Interestingly this happens frequently in batches of "Botia rostrata." The one in the background of the first picture is a B. kubotai due to circular dots you can see forming already. Over time the vertical bands "melt" into each other and develop into a distinct B. kubotai pattern. A regional variation? A subspecies? I don't know, but its worth investigating as ever sinec Botia kubotai as hit the aquarium trade market many have been sold as juvenile B. rostrata.

Mike

That is interesting.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a loach that I thought was an adult rostrata but was purchased as, and looked like, a kubotai when young. It seems as if there are some juvenile kubotai, rostrata, and histrionica out there that share many common characteristics.

Thanks for the replies guys, you have stolen my thunder a bit there Mike as that was my next question .

If a lot of young Rostrata eventually change pattern and become Kubotai, why is this ?

Like you said it could be a regional variation or a subspecies but could it also be (total flight of fanatasy here) that Kubotai is actually adult Rostrata colouration or even sexualy mature male/female Rostrata markings

Well at least the B histrionica can be ruled out as the B Kubotai is only found in the specific Ataran River. What is certain is that Kubotai and Rostrata are commonly found together.

Here's a picture from Kamphol with his fresh catch of Kubotai. Take your pick out of these baby's.