Unidentified Hillie

[Emma Turner]

Martin, do you remember when you were at the shop you spotted a small hillstream loach in one of the tanks on the top row, and we couldn't work out what it might be? (it was in the tank where the P. changtingensis were supposed to be). I think you might only have seen the underneath of it, as it didn't seem to want to budge off the front glass. Well, I got a couple of photos of it tonight, and although not brilliant, you (and others) might be able to identify it for me? It must have been with us for some months as I've imported nothing new into that tank and the adjacent tank for some time:







It's probably just under an inch TL. Unfortunately, it wouldn't raise it's dorsal or spread it's tail for me. Particularly dark body colouration though, and very w-i-d-e mouth.

Emma

[Jim Powers]

That's a gastromyzon ctenocephalus.
Do you know what it came in with?

[Martin Thoene]

Yeah probably Jim.




Based on what we've seen with Emma and Steve's Sewellia fry development, I would say that a 1"TL Gastromyzon ought to look like this. The Sewellia had overly large barbels for instance, as does this guy....plus he's skinnier than an adult.

Spot size suggests Gastromyzon ctenocephalus, but it's difficult to be certain because of the fin colours and markings not being properly visible.

Emma, you're looking for this:

G.scitulus TOP, G. ctenocephalus BOTTOM.

Hope that helps.

Martin.

[Jim Powers]

Wow! I must have missed that it was less than an inch in length. That's a tiny little guy. That could, in deed, change things a bit. Lets hope he gives you a look at that little tail.

By the way, Martin, did you know I had Sewellia?

[Martin Thoene]

REALLY Jim? Oh my! I must have missed the news. Gotta get out of the cave more.............

Martin.

[Emma Turner]

Thank you very much, guys. I will keep checking to see if this loach will spread it's tail out for me. This time, I have no idea what it came in with, I think it's been there for a few months now.

Emma