Loaches Online Forum

Over the last 2 weeks I have seen a couple of Clown Loaches in my LFS that have a different tail shape with an extra fold in the centre. Is this a mutation defect? Has anyone else seen this before?

Nick

Hi Nick and welcome to LOL.
Nice clown in your avatar.

Can you describe what you saw a bit more? Not sure I can picture what you mean...
thanks.

Hi Nick, and welcome to Loaches Online from me too.

Do these tails look anything like Midman's fish:
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=1262

Emma

Thanks for the welcome

I'll try to get a picture...you know, not only is the tail different...but his whole face looks kind of spooky! I asked the store owner if he noticed this unusual looking one and he replied "yup, he came out a bit different!"

In comparison to Midman's fish pic, the mid-part of the tail is more folded over...though this loach is a lot smaller being <2 inches.

Nick

Does he behave the same as the other fish? What's different about his face? A pic would be really helpful, if you can get one.

Seems to act normal...swimming is not impaired and he looks for food with the others in the group. Went to see one of the odd ball loaches again today. The face looks peculiar because he has an enlarged forehead with a dent, shortened downward pointing nose and mouth (more so even compared to the short nosed variety). It is very hard to describe so I'll try and get that photo. He just doesn't look normal. Still cute though

Photos of the loach





Does anyone have a clown like this?

that is seriously weird.

buy it

(assuming you have the room etc)

Nice looking little spotty dude.
Fins look fine, except for the extra flap. Is it an extra flap or is the caudal fin split down the middle and overlapping?

mutation....? maybe its the next breed of super loach. resistant to all ich and disease! haha...

Nice pattern! I'd take him home for that alone, but he's also kinda cute too.

The above photos were taken of 'super loach' from my other loach tank... went back for another visit and was so intrigued I had to buy him. He has settled in really well, had his first brekky this a.m and doesn't act very shy at all...

The tail fin on this guy seems to overlap. I have another clown loach from the same store with a 'see through' area in the same spot as this overlap which is a little strange too. I've been seeing quite a few interesting clowns in the stores lately...one that was almost all yellow with only 1 half stripe (saddle) at the back and a faint dark stripe through the eye. Weird huh?

Nick

Interesting head shape also!

Did the store tell you where they imported this batch of clowns from?

Emma

No, but I can ask next time I'm in the store. I'll also ask the other store that has the other loach with the folded tail...