Loaches Online Forum

I've just noticed lately that one of my male Acanthocobitis zonalternans is showing off his breeding colours. Out of my remaining 17 specimens (was 24 but Mark pinched 7 off my hands) i have 5 males and 12 females left over in the tank. Lucky chaps! Anyways, here's some pictures showing both sexes.

First, the colourful males:




Male and female:


Females:

Cool!!

Very nice Graeme

Great! Hope they go further than just showing colors...it would be neat to see some fry.

I wants, of curse....

Cheers!

Here's the parents > http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ac ... nalternans. English bred specimens from Mick who successfully bred these little chaps. Originally, these where kept by Andy (piggy4) who let them go to Mick. Of course my fingers are crossed.....

Best of luck!

Incidentally, and somewhat OFT: what is the exact reason we don't think that these chaps are related to the Rosies? (or, why Rosies are not an Acanthocobitis sp.?)

mikev wrote:Incidentally, and somewhat OFT: what is the exact reason we don't think that these chaps are related to the Rosies? (or, why Rosies are not an Acanthocobitis sp.?)

*scratches head* Mikev, can you give me reasons as to why you think this? Personally i see no connection, apart from the males colour up like the male Rosy's.

Handsome fellow you have there, Groboson. The change in colour is amazing!

Graeme Robson wrote:

mikev wrote:Incidentally, and somewhat OFT: what is the exact reason we don't think that these chaps are related to the Rosies? (or, why Rosies are not an Acanthocobitis sp.?)

*scratches head* Mikev, can you give me reasons as to why you think this? Personally i see no connection, apart from the males colour up like the male Rosy's.

Similarities in body shape, and these are -- I think -- the only two species that have male color. Not enough to claim anything, only wonder a bit.

Cheers Mark.

No problemo Mikev.

Beautiful specimens, Graeme.

mikev, the Rosies look to have the same slightly curved spine associated with other Yunnanilus species. There are colour differences in the males and females of other loach species too (in addition to other characteristics). For example, the Mesonoemacheilus guentheri I have in at the shop have been with us for some time and are in superb condition. I have a pair at home, and the male, as well as being slimmer, shows much more red colouration on the fins. Sewellia even show much more intense colouration and pattern in the mature males, as does the Schistura sp. 'crimson'.

Emma

Schistura sp. 'crimson'

Drool....

Superbly conditioned fish Graeme well done , it really was a great acheivement by Mick ! for those who dont know the story , i picked up about 6 of these beautys and noticed a bit of interaction between the sexes , then lo and behold i found 5 fry in the filter , Mick having heard this asked for some of my adults , no sooner had he got them , he'd bred them , pretty much in what i'd call Barb style , i.e. a tank witha layer of marbles , and a bit of Java Moss , placed the adults in the tank at night , pulled out the parents the day after and hey presto about 90 fry , all raised to maturity , plus pics to document the event , pretty cool !

thanks for the mention lads, andy pandy i'm back on the web now,
all sorted with the router. jobs a good un.
i'll send the pics to graham to put on the article pics.

cheers
mick

I never got around to creating a article from when you bred these little chaps, Mick. Send all the pictures you've got mate. I'll knock something up soon.