These
dwarfish relatives of the clown loach have done a kind of odyssey in
respect of the generic name in the past. Both were originally described
in the genus Botia. Later they were placed in Yasuhikotakia. Only in
2012 they changed to the genus Ambastaia, which has been generated
especially for them. This genus contains only two species, namely
Ambastaia nigrolineata and A. sidthimunki. The genus is defined by the
unique coloration of these species.
Ambastaia
nigrolineata occurs in Laos, Thailand, and China. However, like A.
sidthimunki almost exclusively bred specimens are offered nowadays,
because otherwise only a very seasonal availability would be given. A.
nigrolineata stays almost as small as A. sidthimunki and becomes around
7-8 cm long (including tail fin).
Juveniles
have only two black stripes on an ebony white body, later the males
develope a pattern that is quite similar to that of A. sidthimunki.
For our customers: the fish have code 404702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
