Sexing skunk loaches???

[Punkymom]

Hi all. I have 2 skunk loaches in a 55 gal tank. I've had them for a few months now, and started out with 3 however haven't seen one of them in a looooooooooong time. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any experience in sexing these guys. I did some research this morning and couldn't come up with anything. Checked out Loaches.com and several other sites. There probably isn't any way to tell, but just wondering if anyone had any experience whatsoever. TIA.

 

[Fruitbat]

Unfortunately I do believe you're correct, Punkymom...it is very difficult to determine the gender of skunk loaches, Botia morleti. Loaches.com has some interesting information on sexual dimorphism in some other loaches, specifically Botia caudipunctata and Botia almorhae but I can't find anything on dimorphism in B. morleti.

Check out the links for B. caudipunctata and B. almorhae below if you're interested.

http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_caudipunctata.html

http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_almorhae_dim.html

 

[Punkymom]

Thanks!