[milalic]

Hi there. I have had this loaches for around a month or so. They are from Myanmar. They came as tuberoschistura_sp. There current size is around 3/4". They seem to me like they are dwarf loaches.

Any ideas what they are?





More pictures:

http://www.invertzfactory.com/images/tuberoschistura_sp/

Thanks for the help.

[mikev]

The exact ID may be difficult, bordering on impossible, but the following is pretty clear: they are not tuberoschistura; tuberoschistura is a small and uncommon genus (2sp) that has been misused by the exporters in the past.

The fish is a Lepidocephalichthys Sp or Lepidocephalus Sp. or, less likely, Kottelatlimia Sp. (these three are quite similar and used to be a single genus)... and incidentally not even the same family as Tuberoschistura!. The classification around Lepidocephalichthys Sp is not very helpful and it appears that a number of undescribed variations and species exist out there.... you may not be able to get the exact ID since it simply does not exist.

One possibility is a variation of L.Thermalis... I've seen them being quite different coming from different locales, and they can be small as I think yours are (good idea to mention the size...but from your photos it seems like 1.5" would be about right?)... I would not bet on this, these are quite likely a new kind, but calling them Lepidocephalus cf. Thermalis should be legitimate enough.

HTH.

BTW thank you for mentioning them! These chaps are among the more favorite loaches of mine.....I should be watching your offerings!
_________________
Poecilia sp. Endleri, Rhinogobius Wui, Danio Rerio, Chlamydogobius Eremius, Corydoras Metae, Sewellia sp. Spotted, Melanotaenia lacustris, Pseudomugil signifer, Tateurndina ocellicauda, Pseudogastromyson Myersi, Ansistrus Sp, Corydoras Panda, Sturisoma Aureum, ....?

[milalic]

[mikev]

Wow.

I have not seen such high bids for this type of fish yet...Unknown rulez .

In fact, the bid is above the price of simply ordering the fish direct without Aquabid (7*7+15=$64 vs a $75 bid)....someone got excited
_________________
Poecilia sp. Endleri, Rhinogobius Wui, Danio Rerio, Chlamydogobius Eremius, Corydoras Metae, Sewellia sp. Spotted, Melanotaenia lacustris, Pseudomugil signifer, Tateurndina ocellicauda, Pseudogastromyson Myersi, Ansistrus Sp, Corydoras Panda, Sturisoma Aureum, ....?