People have been debating between several different species but primarily Botia kubotai, rostrata and Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki. It has been deemed the fish is a Botia kubotai but I'm still not fully convinced, that's why I brought it over here.
The original poster used the LOL species index and mentioned how the following image looks identical to his fish, but his fish does not exactly resemble any of the three species (kubotai, sidthimunki, nigrolineata) that fall under this category.
Here's what I have to say... barely seeing through the smudge on the glass I count seven "gold patch" columns. While I've seen many variations I've never seen a kubotai with anything other than five "gold columns" when young and four when mature, with or without the "bluish tinged spots" mentioned in the original thread which are usually absent on young kubotai. I admit the gold color is identical to that of the kubotai, but I'm not yet convinced this is a kub. I also admit, however, the coloration of the "head" and the eye does not resemble that of a Y. sidthimunki but moreso a kubotai. A better picture is not only necessary for an accurate identification, but because this is an interesting variation of whatever species it may be.
Other quality comments include:
"From the picture, I don't really see how you can comment on "gold patches", there are some flash highlights certainly. Y. sidthimunki very typically has a strong central stripe and checkerboard like apttern above the stripe whilst being basically silver below it. The fish pictured has similar marking below the medial stripe, typical of the B. kubotai, which is a very variable species. Consider also the markings generally, strong vertical AND horizontal marking, very typical of B. kubotai in whatever pattern morph it is wearing."
Original poster: "yes he has the virtical lines andthey are linked with a horizontal line also mid body as you can see, he's about 2inch in lengh.
im just confused with the golden spots part of your post, hes golden allover apart from the chain like black markings. he also dosnt have the silvery purple spot's like on the b. kubotai ."
If pertinent comments are made here I hope it is alright that I relay them to the owner of the fish who originally posted, if not please say so. Also, I will post a link to the original thread if requested.
Loachaholics, discuss
