Loach ID & Q
- Thread starter HarleyK
- Start date
Schistura Mahnerti is my guess.
Hard to tell with the picture but my best guess is one of the schistura loaches definitely not botia striata but most likely this guy http://www.loaches.com/species-index/schistura-mahnerti. Similar to the Shistura vinciguerrae but the headshape is different. Real way to tell the difference is the mahnerti has a pronounced suborbital flap but I don't know what that looks like lol.
It appears they prefer fast moving highly oxygenated waters so high flow river/stream style tank. Average water temps 73-79f. Territorial need for lots of hiding spaces and probably not compatible with more delicate species. Says max size 3 inches even though the ones in your picture look maybe a lil bigger already.
Doesn't mention anything about snails as a food source and it appears the mouth structure is different from botia loaches so I would guess snails ok but don't hold me to it.
Pretty cool loach imo could be a unique setup you don't see often.
Hard to tell with the picture but my best guess is one of the schistura loaches definitely not botia striata but most likely this guy http://www.loaches.com/species-index/schistura-mahnerti. Similar to the Shistura vinciguerrae but the headshape is different. Real way to tell the difference is the mahnerti has a pronounced suborbital flap but I don't know what that looks like lol.
It appears they prefer fast moving highly oxygenated waters so high flow river/stream style tank. Average water temps 73-79f. Territorial need for lots of hiding spaces and probably not compatible with more delicate species. Says max size 3 inches even though the ones in your picture look maybe a lil bigger already.
Doesn't mention anything about snails as a food source and it appears the mouth structure is different from botia loaches so I would guess snails ok but don't hold me to it.
Pretty cool loach imo could be a unique setup you don't see often.
Very nice find! What is the asking price? I'm not sure about the snail thing, but fishbase mentions that insect larvae were found in a specimen's stomach. I would try it with a snail you're not too attached to first...