Free mutant freak loaches anyone?

[angelfish83]

I'm getting rid of these orange 'thing' loaches I have. They're a complete menace. They are complete jerks, know that if you take em.

They wont be ready for about a week. Im treating the tank with copper and formalyn because my fish have been flashing a little for an unidentified reason, which the 'takee' should also be aware of. I know there are only 3 or so maybe 4 people from my area on here but I wanted to try to find them a nice place.

Seeing them in the middle of the tank with everything else huddled in the back left corner is too much. They chase the rostrata trying to bite them for jollys. Satanic evil little orange monsters....

Anyone want them?

[Dave_2133]

You got any pics mate?

[helen nightingale]

Angelfish, you arent marketing them very well!

would anybody like to have my beautifully coloured but marginally agressive loaches? they are proving incompatible with their tankmates, so i'd like to find them a good home might sound more tempting.

good luck with getting rid of them. its a shame as you seemed to put some effort into getting it all right, then end up with freaks. a right bummer.

[Emma Turner]

Will the store not let you return them and take something else in their place?

Emma

[newshound]

I am not sure that treating the fish if they are flashing is such a good idea (double dose to boot)
I find it interesting that these guys are orangeish
I too had a weird loach that no one really ID'd. See link
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/ne ... Qloach.jpg
It was really aggressive so I got rid of it. Plus it grew like a munga bean.
I now have a "mean" tank so I could keep it now.
What does yours look like--post pic please.

[Graeme Robson]

This just shows what a Job them Czech crosses are like. At least now you know!!

Here's what they look like.> http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=3462

[mikev]

Is there any evidence that Czech crosses actually exist? --- or this is simply a guess based on unusual loaches coming via Czech Republic?

Angelfish -- given just how unusual and attractive these guys are, perhaps you can figure out a way to keep them? Observe that sometimes fish affected by external parasites (flashing) behaves in an unusually aggressive way. Also, sometimes loaches need a few weeks to get established, and may become less aggressive once they feel safe. ... And If you do have to choose between these guys and Pretty-Common-Rostrata maybe they are the ones worth keeping?

[Graeme Robson]

Is there any evidence that Czech crosses actually exist? --- or this is simply a guess based on unusual loaches coming via Czech Republic?

We are seeing one example and others like Synodontis's, danio's are often seen also.

[Martin Thoene]

I beleve I know a kindly older gentleman who would provide them with comfortable shelter. He would also maintain a photographic record of their development for the edification of the populace hereabouts.

People who know me, know I'm curious..........

.....let's put that another way.....

People who know me, know I have an enquiring mind I'm interested to know what these lil fishies grow up into.

Synchromoyasuhikobotia chimera or whatever I've got space.

Martin.

[Graeme Robson]

Thats great, Martin. I must admit, I'm also interested in and how these will develop. Inquisitive minds...etc.

[mikev]

Is there any evidence that Czech crosses actually exist? --- or this is simply a guess based on unusual loaches coming via Czech Republic?

We are seeing one example and others like Synodontis's, danio's are often seen also.

Breeding danios is not exactly a spectacular achievement, nearly everyone can do this. Breeding Botia's, and much more so, crossbreeding them, is.

Otoh, we also know that the Czech have some nice private channels to the local collecters, like the one that brought out spotted Sewellia. So, unless proven otherwise, I think we should consider these loaches to be an unusual local variation or even an undocumented species, not a cross.

Martin,
this would be great. I'd love to see more pics of these *things*. Hopefully they would not eat your clowns.

[Emma Turner]

Czech breeders are known to be crossing various catfish species, for supposed much larger brood sizes. So it is possible that they are employing this method with loaches too.

Emma

[Graeme Robson]

Well i'll have to disagree with you, Mikev. Your opinion is as valid as others, but these are not naturally bred, nor are the certain Synodontis, Danio's...etc. There is man made fish species out there and the Czech seems to be the culprits for mass production.

[mikev]

It would be fascinating if this is the case.

I have no problem believing in man-made species -- there are a plenty of examples out there -- but asaik commercial botia breeding has not been yet accomplished outside of Asia.

Do observe that if these guys are indeed a cross, then it is probably a cross between two different genus' (clowns with some Botia's) which also undermines the current classification.

Emma,

You do work with Czech... do you perhaps have an idea of how they list these things in their catalogs?

[Emma Turner]

My German supplier has been breeding B. histrionica for some years now, which means that some Botia species are being bred outside of Asia. These are true B. histrionica too, not these 'possible Czech hybrids'.

I occasionally use Czech suppliers - but this is normally for Malawi cichlids and not for catfish or loaches. Many species of catfish are listed with an 'X' after the latin name, which in the trade, signifies a hybrid.

Emma