Clown Loach

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

Just been reading an article on the web and it said that clown loach have "horns" or "small movable spines" onder the eyes.

Is it true?
I'm just curious really, because I read up a little before I got them and I didn't come accross that information.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

no i see somthing under te eye but it aint no horn just lloks like a slight marking

 

[jayjay]

yeah they have, spines they move in and out under their eyes.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

oh well i never seen them move but i only really get to see them in the dark (they hide when i try to get a good look at them)

 

[The-Wolf]

most botias have this.
they only use them for defence; when a predator grabs the loach by the head they flick out the spines making the predator release the loach.

the spines are most often seen when netting them.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

most botias have this.
they only use them for defence; when a predator grabs the loach by the head they flick out the spines making the predator release the loach.

the spines are most often seen when netting them.

sound quite cool

 

[allan45121]

i've heard that the spines also pop out when the fish dies. any truth in this?

 

[TheScottishRift]

No myth, there bloody sharp as well, can easily draw blood

http/www.loaches.com/species_images/clown_spine.jpg

 

[so-fishy!]

No myth, there bloody sharp as well, can easily draw blood

http/www.loaches.com/species_images/clown_spine.jpg

Yes I too have been "sliced and diced" when trying to get my loach out with my bare hands when he got stuck in a rock! Bit like a paper cut......bloody kills!

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

cool....thanks guys, maybe this is a case that no 1 web site has all the info you need

 

[samyboy]

do corys have something simular, before purchasing mine i did a lot of reseach can't exactly remember where i read it but they can lock there spine or something so great care should be taken when netting them.