March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
It appears that this species has not yet appeared in the western hobby, probably because commercial fish collections don't normally take place in its native waters although the goby Rhinogobius zhoui has been available occasionally. We're unable to provide details of distinguishing characters since no diagnostic key to the genus exists in English at time of writing, but based on the images available it does appear to possess reddish dorsal and caudal fins. The specimens pictured were i…
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Zodiac Loach
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This species is also referred to by the alternative vernacular name ‘Batik loach’ and is the most-commonly traded member of the genus at present. It’s easily-distinguished from congeners by body patterning which comprises a series of pale, oblique saddle-like markings edged in black and running along the dorsal surface, plus a similar set of bars originating from the otherwise plain ventral surface.
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
It’s unclear if this species has ever been exported for the aquarium hobby outside of India but there may be a chance of finding the occasional specimen mixed in with shipments of M. guentheri or M. triangularis. It was earlier considered synonymous and may still be confused with M. guentheri since both species share similar body patterning consisting of rows of yellowish, dark-edged spots.
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
However, according to the identification key of Rema Devi and Indra (2002), the two can be distinguished by a combination of factors as follows: body spots rounded in shape (vs. ‘Y’ or ‘V’ shaped in M. herrei); caudal peduncle relatively long (vs. relatively short); anal-fin not reaching base of caudal-fin (vs. anal-fin reaching base of caudal-fin); caudal peduncle with a dark band (vs. caudal peduncle with a dark spot); sub…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
Speckle-tailed Loach
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This specie is relatively rare in the aquarium trade and much sought after by enthusiasts as a result. It looks relatively similar to Y. splendida but can be told apart from it, and indeed all other members of the genus, by the following combination of characters: possession of 8 branched dorsal-fin rays; 32-33 vertebrae; one or two small, brownish, vertically-orientated markings on the dorsal part of the body posterior to the dorsal fi…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This species was initially described as a member of Cobitis and remained as such for over 60 years until being redescribed in the new genus Microcobitis by Bohlen and Harant (2011). It can be separated from Cobitis species by a number of char…
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Large-scaled Loach
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
It’s actually sold in the aquarium hobby on a regular basis but almost always labelled as or mixed in with Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and is thus poorly documented.
Although quite simi…
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Fork-tailed Loach
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This species is traded under various names including 'chocolate scissor-tailed loach', chocolate long-finned loach', 'red line cobra loach', 'spiny eel loach' and 'dragon loach'. It's apparently difficult to find in its natural habitats and thus time-consuming to collect, meaning it's rarely traded in numbers, sought after by enthusiasts and tends to carry a relatively high price tag when available.
The genus currently contains just three…
9 comments » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
Diamond Killifish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This species is not a common aquarium species but is occasionally available from specialist retailers or breeders. It was initially named Adinia multifasciata by Girard (1859) before later being redescribed as Fundulus xenicus (mispelled 'Fundnlus') by Jordan and Gilbert (1882).
Body stout and trapezoidal in adults, body depth usually 2 to 3 times in standard length; scales large, fewer than 30 scales along midlateral scale row…
2 comments » | Category: Cyprinodontiformes, Cyprinodontoid Toothcarps
March 13th, 2012 — 1:26pm
This species is rarely-seen in the trade due to a relative lack of commercial exports from the middle Yangtze basin. It looks very similar to S. pulchra but can be told apart by the fact it lacks irregular, brownish markings and spots on the side of the head (vs. present in S. pulchra), and like most congeners it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe.
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
Product reviewers wanted
Hello! Very much interested in writing for you, please include me in the info. Thank you for the opportunity!
6th Sep 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I would be interested in reviewing products. Before retiring I was a technical writer and managed a Quality Management Program.
30th Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I'm interested and can write reviews from the perspective of someone new to the hobby. I'm only 3-4 months in, but hopefully I can help someone that's...
23rd Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I’m interested in doing this if there is still availability, it sounds like fun! Thanks
19th Aug 2020
Barbodes semifasciolatus – Golden Barb* (Barbus sachsii, Puntius schuberti)
I simply had a question (please forgive if this is not allowed, I read the FAQ but I was not sure). I was wondering if there is any evidence of offsp...
12th Aug 2020