We received this beautiful loach from Thailand. The genus Serpenticobitis contains only three species, all of which were described in 1997/98. They differ mainly in their coloration: in S. octozona (the type species, comes from Laos and Cambodia) the light spaces between the dark bands are very narrow, in S. zonata (Laos) much wider. Whereas in these two species the dark bands extend to the ventral edge, in the third known species, S. cingulata (Thailand), they end well before the ventral edge.
These loaches are very peaceful, sociable and grow to around 6 cm long. Their body structure is very similar to that of Nemacheilus species, but they behave more like hillstream loaches. Just like hillstream loaches, they can cling to glass panes etc. The animals shown here come from the middle Mekong catchment in northern Thailand.
For our customers: the animals have code 455012 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
