What is the largest loach/Botia Sp.?

[Stab]

Just curious to know if the infamous clown loach is in fact the largest of the botia species, or is there another fish that gets even larger?

 

[guppy]

There are several loachs that get as long as the clown such as the tiger botia (S. helodes) and a few that get bigger but don't seem to get imported such as the loktak and the yu loach, One of the largest ones that does come in occassionaly is the queen or royal clown (Leptobotia elongata) that can reach 20", here is a pic from www.loaches.com

 

[Stab]

Isn't that the so called "clown loach from hell" that has teeth and actively hunts for small fish?

 

[guppy]

Yep, that is the the one, a 20" one will eat fish to about 6-8".

 

[benzjamin13]

Now THAT'S a monster loach!

 

[Stab]

They must be pretty rare -- I have never seen them ofered for sale in the US