spotted clown loach

[kimmers318]

Okay everyone....I need another fish like I need a hole in the head....but picture this scenario....it is almost Mother's Day, we are at the fish store....I have tears running out of the corners of my eye looking at a poor puffer (not sure what kind...trying not to find out too much cuz I WANT more puffers!) who has had the snot beat out of him. He is missing most of his tail fin, most of his dorsal fin and has rough patches on his body. I want to buy a tank...take him home and see if I can fix him. Hubby KNOWS I want more puffers (too bad they aren't community fish!) and instantly distracts me seeing a tank purchase in the immediate future...leaving him to set it up, seed it and acclimate the fish that is probably going to die anyway because I have to go to work soon and heads me over to see the new batch of clown loaches they got in 3 days ago. Again, he knows me too well, and knows there is a soft spot in my heart for my clowns! Low and behold, there is a clown loach who is 1/2 spotted, 1/2 striped, similar in size to the 2 I have. (started with 4, lost 2, months ago and the 2 seem quite happy so I let well enough alone) As soon as I say how cute he is hubby offers to buy it for me. Do ya think I had the willpower to say "NO"...yea right! Even after I spotted 1 tiny itty bitty white spot on tail fin my mind starts racing....Q tank is ready....fish keeping Q tank cycled can fit into community tank....I have time before work to acclimate...move fish...and bring this little odd guy home. So here are some pics of the most unusual clown loach I have ever seen!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clownright_edited-1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clownright1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clown1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clown.jpg

Hopefully this isn't an indication that something went wrong somewhere with the suppliers breeding program and he will be sickly or something. Only time will tell! He is lighter in color than my other clowns, but then again so were they when I first bought them. Here are pics of them from a couple of weeks ago.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clownloach.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clownloach1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/clownloach2.jpg

[William]

Wonderful clowns.

Its very unlikely that it is a sign of problem. There are a lot of types of clown loaches and it is likely that they will be divided into several species as more become know about the different types.

[kimmers318]

Well, that is a relief! Next step is making sure no chance of ICH being spread to community tank since I do have 1 white spot on him/her. Will keep Q'd for a couple of weeks, but even with the possible ICH, I couldn't resist.

[rollie]

nice!

[rev]

I must agree there. That is the oddest pattern on a clown i've seen to date. I've got about ten, a few with odd patterns & one with four stripes but that new guy of yours is truly exceptional. Congrats on the pick up !!

[kimmers318]

Thanks rev...and he has darkened up since he has been in the community tank with other loach so I will get some more recent pics soon for everyone.

[kimmers318]

Here are more recent pics...you can see how much better his coloring is now
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/spotty1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/spotty.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/spottyleft.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/spottyright2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/kimmers318/spottyright3.jpg

[William]

Yes. He looks a lot happier !

great pics as always.

[kimmers318]

Thanks william! I am getting better at this, I only took about 20 pics this time to get the good ones I was happy with! Either that or my fish are just getting more used to seeing me with the camera and knowing it isn't something to freak about. Still haven't had any luck capturing danios though the little buggers.

[rev]

Congrats mate. Great pics. The last pic - he is one exceptionally patterned clown.
I want him...lol.

[kimmers318]

I know the feeling rev....when I saw him I had to have him! Oh the woes of us fishlovers!

[rev]

I had to have him! Oh the woes of us fishlovers!

Lmao... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Slow Cheetah]

I love my clowns. urs is quite amazing i have never seen one like it before on the internet or stores. Well done on ur purchase.