Loaches Online Forum

I doubt they do so their barbels must be sharp and able to puncture or tear.

I was cleaning my aquarium today. I have a yoyo that is 3.5 yrs old and about 3 inches long. I was pulling out a decoration and he tried to escape through an opening a bit too small. He was stuck a little less than half way. I wanted to help him out and without much thought put my other hand in to either push him back in or help him escape. Of course, his head was thrashing back and forth. I immediately received a sharp poke that surprised me. The poke/cut bled quite a bit and really hurt. I would like to know what it was that got me; barbels or "teeth". Anyone know?

I was able to extract him without much trouble using smooth edged tongs and he seems to be doing okay. I'll keep an eye on him.

Thanks,
Brad

sounds to me like he hit you with the spines under his eyes. Botiine loaches (clowns, yoyos, darios, etc) have two retractable spines, one under each eye, some what shaped like a cats claw (i think). If you look close, you can see the "slot" where it goes under both eyes.

Most likely, poor fellow used his suborbital spines, they are sharp. See the glossary if unsure.

It is best not to extract a loach..in most cases he will be able to free himself once the stress is removed; from what you are describing poor guy was under a lot of stress.

It would be better to permanently remove the decorations animal may get stuck in; and if a similar incident happens again, give the animal a bit of time, to relax and free itself. If it cannot do it within say an hour, only then more proactive measures may be considered.

Thanks to both of you. That clears up a mystery and helps should something like that ever happen again. That decoration is getting too small for the yoyo and the clown I have. Time for a new toy.

Those spines... they must be for defense/offense? Do they use them when fighting with one another or other fish?

BTW Here is a pic from the species profiles of a Clown with his weapon deployed (similar for all Bottine loaches):

Brad Green wrote: Those spines... they must be for defense/offense? Do they use them when fighting with one another or other fish?

They are mostly used for defense and seemingly only when the animal really panics...I never saw any loach trying to use them offensively, but anything is possible.

Saw it today for first time. i was cleaning their cave and smaller clown got stuck in the driftwood, so i took deiftwood outside and the guy fell on towell. And instantly...spines.

It was happy end, but it really looks very interesting. This is first time I saw it, never in fight or offensive behaviour, only now - when it was probably scared to death (defense).

It is very interesting for as long as it does not get you...

One of my clowns extends spines whenever it is netted. The first time it happened when I bought it, so it got stuck in the net but also managed to draw some blood from the salesman...the clown was only about 2.5" at the time but it made a nice cut in a finger....the salesman cursed and dropped the fish on the store floor....

Within my group of Y modesta's, there is this one 6 inch particular chap who will always flash or extend his spines when i approach the tank. It's like 'Come on then! try your luck if you wanna catch me'

I've learned from 3 yrs ago when i re-homed him to a larger tank. Ouch!

Yes they will stretch them out kinda like a big yawn.......