Fish: Re: [tropical fish club] Catfish

Alex,

Yes, the Cory, Sterbai is a great looking fish, and quite sought after.
The Emerald Cory (Brochius splendens) is another nice one, but there are a
number of nice smaller ones too. While Dawn did mention Loaches, and in
particular Botia, I'm sure she didn't mean Clown Loaches as they get to beiween
12" and 14". Besides. I'm sure she knows that Clown Loaches are no longer in
the Genus Botia but are now considered as Chromobotia, which may be why she
mentiioned "Botia" without having to expressly exclude this fish.

Some of these Loaches would be my choice too, and especially some of the
smaller ones. Unfortunately I can't think of very many that are really that
small. To name a few though -- and I'll have to include their scientific
names with them, as some share common names -- I'll start with the
Chipmonk/Dwarf (or "Chain") Loach, Botia [Yasuhikotakia] sidthimunki which gets to only
2" -- 3". Yeah, that was a mouthful <g >! Then, in order of size, there's
the Black Line Loach (B. nigrolineatus) at 3 1/4", the Speckletail Loach
(Botia caudopunctata) at 3 1/2", the Skunk Loach (B. morleti) at 3 7/8", the
Zebra (or "Candystripe") Loach (B. striata), followed by the Yo-Yo loach (B.
almorhae [was B. lohachata]) at 4 1/2" and the Burmese.Golden Zebra Loach
(B. histrionica) between 4" and 5".

I realize many hobbyists may prefer not having to use the scientific names,
but there are several Loaches called "striped," "zebra," "barred," "banded"
etc., with these common names often getting used interchangeably by
dealers for similarly looking Loaches. I don't think you'd want to find out next
year that the "small" loaches you bought tomorrow turned out to be a
different one, at 10" long.

There are some other really great looking Botias, but unfortunately some
are suited only for much larger tanks. The Polka-Dot Loach (B. "angelicus" --
more correctly, Botia kubotai) is a gorgeous looking fish, but gets to at
least 6". The Red-Tail, or "Blue" Botia (B. modesta) is a nice looking fish
which is getting more and more popular. However, it too gets to at least
the same size as the Polka-Dot Loach.

There are other small Loaches, not in the Genus Botia, but which are
closely related, and which are equally suitable for a 30 gallon tank. The
Butterfly Hillstream Loach is but one of them -- which gets to only 2" -- 3". As a
reminder, all Corys and most Loaches prefer being in groups.

Ray

</HTML>