Schistura poculi Profile**x

[Martin Thoene]

*work in progress*

Scientific name: Schistura poculi (Banarescu & Nalbant, 1995)

Common name: None

Synonyms: Noemacheilus poculi, Nemacheilus poculi

Distribution: Mekong Basin, Thailand

Sexual Dimorphism: No obvious dimorphism, unlike other similar species. Females probably plumper.

Maximum size: Not known, probably 3 to 4 inches (8 -10cm).

Similar to: Schistura vinciguerrae, S. mahnerti, and S. bella

Care: Lives in brooks and streams with swift current, among large pebbles, stones and boulders. Also in creeks and streams with moderate current and clear water The aquarium should have a decent flow rate and be well-oxygenated. Provide piles of large pebbles or slate to create hiding places. The rest of the aquarium base should have smooth rounded pebbles and sand or fine grained gravel with reasonably bright lighting. Please see Hillstream Loaches: Specialists at Life in the Fast Lane for a more detailed explanation.

Feeding: Most foods accepted. Commercial sinking formulations and bottom-dwelling live-foods. Frozen foods such as Bloodworm/Brine shrimp.

Water parameters: pH: 6.0-7.5 Hardness: Soft-medium. Max dh: 12.

Temperature: 68ºF to 77 ºF (18-25°C)

Breeding: Not known in aquarium.

Notes: Schistura poculi is territorial and should be housed in an aquarium featuring multiple hiding places and decor designed to break line of sight between territories. Do not house with delicate species.

The color pattern is shared with several other Schistura species. S. poculi is distinguished from S. vinciguerrae by 8+7 branched caudal rays (versus 9+8 ), from S. mahnerti and S. bella.
Another distinguishing feature is the presence of an underlying reflective area of tissue at the base of the dorsal fin. This will reflect light or a camera flash (see photos).


Caption: Schistura poculi
Credit: Anuratana Tejavej


Caption: Schistura poculi
Credit: Anuratana Tejavej


Caption: Schistura poculi showing reflective patch at dorsal base.
Credit: Anuratana Tejavej


Caption: Schistura poculi in natural stream. Note reflective patch lit by camera flash.
Credit: Anuratana Tejavej



Caption: Schistura poculi. Specimen from different location that has more colour in tail fin.
Credit: Anuratana Tejavej

[shari2]

Could you translate this for me?

S. poculi is distinguished from S. vinciguerrae by 8+7 branched caudal rays (versus 9+8), from S. mahnerti and S. bella.

Why the reverse order of numbers? (sorry I have to ask these kinds of things) Look at it this way, once you tell me I won't have to ask again.

Also, is the 'reflective area' actually 'tissue' or scales? It also seems to extend along the dorsal ridge from the pectoral fins to just prior to the dorsal fin and above the lateral line from the center of the dorsal fin all the way into the caudal peduncle..?

And FYI...there is an extra space here, (versus 9+8 ) because "(8 )" without a space creates the 'cool' smiley on this forum...

[Martin Thoene]

Well that info came from Fishbase. I guess it's Ichthyological convention.

A Caudal has two lobes right? I'm guessing the first # is the top lobe (can't ray count the sp. pic).

So it's 9 top 8 bottom for 2 species and 8 top 7 bottom for the one in the profile.

Martin.