Loach

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loach
Yoyo Loach.jpg

Net loach ( Botia almorhae )

Systematics
without rank: Otophysa
Order : Carp-like (Cypriniformes)
Subordination : Loach- like (Cobitoidei)
Family : Clown loaches (Botiidae)
Genre : Botia
Type : Loach
Scientific name
Botia almorhae
Gray , 1831

Botia almorhae ( Syn. : Botia lohachata Chaudhuri 1912), with a German name and network Prachtschmerle or loach , is a fish from the family of loaches (Botiidae). Young and adolescent Botia almorhae live in the lower reaches of the Himalayan rivers in India and Nepal that drain south. Adult animals migrate in the upper reaches of these mountain rivers up to 1900 m above sea level. There their habitats are deeper river areas with a stony bottom.

Features and systematics

In the animals up to 18 cm in size, the sexes can only be differentiated if the reproductive females have formed a clearly visible spawning base . A pattern of Y-shaped, dark transverse bands runs over the silver-gray body, between which there is a dark half band on the lower half of the body. This drawing continues on the fins.

All clown loaches give the impression of being without scales and instead of having a leathery, smooth skin. In fact, they have very small, tight-fitting scales that are invisible to the naked eye. Characteristic of all loaches is lying in a skin pouch under each eye eyes mandrel , the expanded and a bone joint can be locked. These curved, sharp and pointed thorns, which many species of loaches have, apparently only serve as a defense against predators . They are also unfolded for a short time in connection with "yawning", which is to be assessed as comfort behavior .

Botia lohachata (Chaudhuri, 1912) is now assigned to Botia almorhae (Gray, 1831). The reason for the multiple description is the clearly different coloring of juvenile and adult specimens. The Y-like, wide band drawing of young fish changes to a network drawing that extends over the entire body, while the basic white color of young fish turns into a light gray. Contrary to what is often stated, sexually mature net loaches reach body lengths of up to 18 centimeters and are not aggressive loners, but rather social carp-like.

behavior

This crepuscular and nocturnal loach species is relatively peaceful, but can become rude towards other species because it requires an individual quiet zone without delimiting a territory. However, it is not aggressive towards other loach species. Botia almorhae is an underground-oriented fish, but also takes the food from the surface of the water, turning on its back.

The internal communication takes place through posture, head movements and "cracking" sounds and is very differentiated. Specimens cared for together know each other individually and are organized in a kind of ranking. Each individual fish has its own retreat. Reports of intraspecific aggression are always based on unfavorable housing conditions. There are only aquarium observations on behavior.

swell

literature

  • Kottelat, M. 2004: Botia kubotai, a new species of loach (Teleostei: Cobitidae) from the ataran River basin (Myanmar), with comments on botiinae nomenclature and diagnosis of a new genus. Zootaxa No. 401: 1-18.
  • Talwar, PK and AG Ihingran 1991: Inland fishes of India and adjecent countries , Vol. 1. AA Balkeman, Rotterdam.
  • Steinle, C.-P. 1986: About the loach, Botia lohachata Chaudhuri, 1912 . The Aqu.- u. Terr.-Z. ( DATZ ) 39:446.
  • Steinle, C.-P. 1987: More about the net loach Botia lohachata . The Aqu.- u. Terr.-Z. (DATZ) 38: 351.

Web links

Commons : Botia almorhae  - collection of images, videos and audio files