Loach ID please?

[plaalye]

Hi folks,
First of all thanks for all the great info and help that you make available on this site! I've been lurking for a while but haven't posted much as I'm just soaking it all up.
You're probably weary of these Qs but one of my"Kubotai" has me wondering? I was perusing the site last night when I came across a pic posted by Emma as a Rostrata and it looks alot like my Kub. Would you please have a look at the pics and give me your Opinion? Thanks!!


with one of his buddies playing with the neons

And Emmas' pic that got me wondering???

[mickthefish]

plaalye, i would say yours is a definite kubotai.

mick

[plaalye]

That was quick! Thanks Mick!!
I just found this pic of a Histronica that also looks alike to me. Is it just an ability that you attain after looking at them for a longtime, or are there defining characteristics that I'm missing?

[mickthefish]

ive started to get a feel for certain fish, but if i'm ever in doubt i speak to my mate Andy who's been keeping botia's and loaches for years.

mick

[Emma Turner]

Hi plaalye,

That last photo is also one of mine. Did you find it here on LOL or elsewhere?

The B. rostrata in that first pic of mine is a specimen that was part way through its pattern change from the juvenile 'ladder like' appearance (hence the common name) to its reticulated pattern.

Emma

[plaalye]

Hi Emma, yes I found both pics on this site in the picture galleries. I hope you don't mind my reposting them. I wanted to illustrate my confusion
Thanks for your responses. I guess I'll just have to spend countless hours observing the different species to fine tune my eye!

[Emma Turner]

No, of course I don't mind! It was just that you said you found that first one on here but didn't say where you found the second one, and having been the tagret of some 'picture thefts' recently, my guard was up!
Your loaches look in great condition, by the way.

Emma

[piggy4]

Hi Plaalye, your fish could well be B. Kubotai as Mick says , BUT if you have a look at Botia unknown 03 on the species guide , there is also a resembelence , this fish used to be imported as a bycatch with B. Histrionica ! it stranegely looks somwhere between Histrionica and Kubotai ! though where the Rostrata tag comes in
I dont know if the identity of Botia 03 was ever resolved or if indeed anyone ever grew them on to adults i.e. to see if they changed

[plaalye]

Thanks piggy, I hadn't seen that one. And thanks Emma for complementing my fish. I have three that all came from PETSMART as I don't have many options locally. This one seems to be outgrowing the the others and has that slightly different look so I began to wonder?? They're probably all Kubs but I'll keep watching and see what happens when they grow.