View Full Version : New fish: Blue Botia
I put this newomer in my loach theme tank, any experience or advice? I noticed they look similar to the various Red- Tailed sharks. Any compatibility problems with Rainbow Sharks? So far so good, but I thought I would ask.
DeLgAdO
10-28-2006, 6:39 PM
they look like this
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery//watermark.php?file=11324&size=1 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery//watermark.php?file=11324&size=1)
Potts050
10-28-2006, 6:52 PM
I've kept them before and as they grow they become a stunning fish.
They can become aggressive partcularly at feeding time and like other members of the genus they have eye-blades which they use to slash other fish during a feeding frenzy or looking for a place to hide. I had a couple of S. Petricola that had their dorsal fins completly removed by one of these fish who was less than half the size.
Thanks for the photo Del, Mine has a great blue color now and is getting along well.
rallysman
10-28-2006, 8:10 PM
I always thought those were died lol.... Glad to know that's not the case.
I thought so too, but I was told they are not.
Blub Blub
10-28-2006, 10:18 PM
I have one of those. They are pritty cool fish, but mine has turned into a fat ass that just lays on his side till feeding time. He's the smartest fish in my 55 gal. When there is food in the tank he swims to the top and splashes like an idiot. It scares the other fish and then he eats the food while they hide. He also loves Hikari sinking pellets, clicks like crazy when he gets them.
Anybody know how large they get, mine's about 5" now.
rallysb1tch
10-28-2006, 10:31 PM
I also thought that those were dyed. I saw one at Uncle Bill's and wanted to take it home.
is300zx
10-28-2006, 11:56 PM
They get up to 12 inches and can become aggressive.
http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_modesta.html
Actually, I have found that some of these are dyed, I hope mine hasn't been.
Chad55
10-29-2006, 6:44 PM
When me and my cousin were moving his fish this weekend into his new house, we scooped out the botia loach and we both went WHOA:WHOA: . We were shocked by how blue it was. I want one now!
Chad
DeLgAdO
10-29-2006, 9:27 PM
They get up to 12 inches and can become aggressive.
http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_modesta.html
the idea is that they shouldnt be kept in small groups otherwise there will be conflict
if you want to keep a small group
make sure they each have there own hidding place.
they are best kept single or in a large group
DeLgAdO
10-29-2006, 9:27 PM
Actually, I have found that some of these are dyed, I hope mine hasn't been.
he looks good wurm, im pretty sure he's clean
ive seens one that are purple
Blub Blub
10-30-2006, 9:54 AM
the idea is that they shouldnt be kept in small groups otherwise there will be conflict
if you want to keep a small group
make sure they each have there own hidding place.
they are best kept single or in a large group
:iagree:
I have the one 5" blue botai I got from the local fish store, and 3 smaller red tail botais I got from the Liveaquaria website. They each have their own cave complete with invisible boundary that they won't let any fish cross.
When the blue one outgrew his cave, I switched it with a cave that looked identical, but was just larger. I put it in exactly the same spot. He didn't like it, even though he had to scoot through the gravel to fit in the old one. So, he decided to overthrow his neighbor and take his cave. This battle went on for two days of almost continuous fighting. He succeeded in taking the neighbors cave only to realize that it was WAY too small (his tail stuck out all the time). He decided his new cave wasn't so bad after all.
DeLgAdO
10-30-2006, 11:49 AM
:iagree:
When the blue one outgrew his cave, I switched it with a cave that looked identical, but was just larger. I put it in exactly the same spot. He didn't like it, even though he had to scoot through the gravel to fit in the old one. So, he decided to overthrow his neighbor and take his cave. This battle went on for two days of almost continuous fighting. He succeeded in taking the neighbors cave only to realize that it was WAY too small (his tail stuck out all the time). He decided his new cave wasn't so bad after all.
LOL!!!:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:
gotta love there comical behavior :D
ewurm
10-30-2006, 12:53 PM
:iagree:
I have the one 5" blue botai I got from the local fish store, and 3 smaller red tail botais I got from the Liveaquaria website. They each have their own cave complete with invisible boundary that they won't let any fish cross.
When the blue one outgrew his cave, I switched it with a cave that looked identical, but was just larger. I put it in exactly the same spot. He didn't like it, even though he had to scoot through the gravel to fit in the old one. So, he decided to overthrow his neighbor and take his cave. This battle went on for two days of almost continuous fighting. He succeeded in taking the neighbors cave only to realize that it was WAY too small (his tail stuck out all the time). He decided his new cave wasn't so bad after all.
That is hilarious!
rasdbo
11-04-2006, 8:57 PM
the blue and red (or blueberry/strawberry) are dyed and usually more common than the actual blue botia.
nice one either way and gl
the blue and red (or blueberry/strawberry) are dyed and usually more common than the actual blue botia.
nice one either way and gl
I don't think that Blue color is natural, and I don't support dyed fish. I am going to keep it, but damn I feel bad for the process it went through.
Blub Blub
11-04-2006, 10:17 PM
If my blue one is dyed, I didn't realize it when I bought it. Makes me mad that I might have supported the practice, but I don't regret buying the fish. I won't buy another dyed, tatooed, or otherwise altered fish.
You live, you learn.
ewurm
11-04-2006, 10:32 PM
If my blue one is dyed, I didn't realize it when I bought it. Makes me mad that I might have supported the practice, but I don't regret buying the fish. I won't buy another dyed, tatooed, or otherwise altered fish.
You live, you learn.
I feel the same way, but the fish is doing well. I won't buy another dyed fish either.
Killergar
12-08-2006, 8:06 PM
How much are Blue botias going for in your area...??
ewurm the Botia modesta in your picture appears to have been dyed. They should not be blue, but more of a grey color like DeLgAdO's loaches.
Jason_S
12-11-2006, 10:53 AM
I also thought that those were dyed. I saw one at Uncle Bill's and wanted to take it home.
most of the ones at Uncle Bill's (Greenwood anyway) are dyed. :( they also now have the tatooed blood parrots.
not all blue botia are dyed but the undyed ones are becoming less and less common unfortunately. the body color should be a blueish/gray...if there is any hint of purple or even a really bright blue then they've probably been dyed.
justin
12-12-2006, 10:35 AM
Most of the blue botias I see around me are not dyed and look really good. Of coarse they are not a stunning blue. They are more a grey/ blue color.
ewurm
12-14-2006, 10:12 PM
I feel sorry for the fish, I wish I would have gotten a regular one as not to support this practice.
I feel sorry for the fish, I wish I would have gotten a regular one as not to support this practice.
At least you can give it a great life now that you have it.
Thats the way I feel. At least it will live a long life while enjoying a planted tank with plenty of caves, and Hikari and Omega One cuisine!
loach43
12-15-2006, 5:53 PM
I had one of those and it killed my sturisoma overnight from day one after I bought it.
That in mind just be cautious where bottom dwelling tankmates are concerned.
If you add another fish, make sure it can kick that botias ass if it gets out of line.
ewurm
12-15-2006, 11:13 PM
I plan on doing a 55 loach tank, JDMAN style but smaller scale. These two will be the feature, with plenty smaller clowns and some different loaches.