How can you sex a loach

[moodychick75]

I am just wondering how do you sex loaches?? I bought approximately 8 golden and silver loaches from my LFS. Now 2 of the loaches have huge stomaches. I dont know if this is because they are over eating or if it could be because they are preggers. I know absolutely nothing about loaches except the ones i have a bottom feeders.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[The-Wolf]

It is hard to sex many loaches, try XXXXXXXXX that may help you.

moderator edit of name of rival forum

Sorry I did not know they had a forum )

 

[ryan]

Do you know the scientific name for these Loaches? If not do you have any pics so we can identify them?

 

[The-Wolf]

the sliver loach, sounds like Botia lecontei
these are unsexable, that is to say there is no distinct way of sexing adults
Their max adult size will be 15cm.

The golden loach may just be a golden CAE, but we do need a picture to be sure.

 

[pnyklr3]

my clowns won't be sexually mature until they are about 9 inches long....and that will take a few years. The only way for me to tell which are male and which are female is to wait until one lays eggs. My loaches scared me once with huge bellies.....tunrs out that they gorge themselves when I feed them and they bloat a little bit from the food. That's probably what has happened. Check them a few hour after they eat (or don't feed for a day or two; they'll be alright) and see if their bellies are smaller.

 

[ryan]

Botia lecontei is a possibility along with a few others, it may also be the similar species Botia modesta.