Speckletail Loach (Yasuhikotakia (previously Botia) caudipunctata)
I do have, personally, particular
sentiment to specimens of this species of botia, possibly due to the fact that
their identification had taken, some years ago, a decent couple of months.
Searching the proverbial seed of the truth I got in touch with people who, in
contemporary times are on almost continuous quest for a new fish species in
freshwater systems of the south-eastern Asian countries. History of this
species is relatively short. The first scientific description comes from two
Japanese ichthyologysts, Taki and Doi (1995). Unfortunately, neither original
description nor other available documentation did agree completely with some of
the morphological characters of the three beautiful specimens who fallen into
my possession in a very unusual way. On a quite a frequent base, at least in my
personal experience with various botia species, they were found in local pet
store under the inappropriate label, as Silver loach (Yasuhikotakia (Botia) lecontei) in January, 2000. Quite
accidentally, however, a couple of days earlier, the same shop provided, on my
request, five young Le Conte loaches, and the specimens under discussion, had
been order simply to fill the gap in shop tank. The first glimpse was already
just enough to notice, despite the shortage of power in tank supply system
(wasn’t this fascinating, was it?), significant difference not only in size but
also in general shape of newly arrived botias. In that moment, seeing the
caudal fin, characteristically marked with dark speckle-like dots, was very
unlikely. But when I saw them for the first time in daylight, yet packed in
plastic bag, I went slightly shocked from excitement. Early attempts of
identification of new arrivals in terms of available resources, whilst fish
were getting, without problems, adjusted to their new tank environment, had led
to obvious conclusions that despite certain analogies, there are also visible
and clear differences with respect to description of typical specimen of then,
yet, Botia caudipunctata species. I
undertook attempt to explain frustrating doubts and 
discrepancies for the sake of
clarity. I will focus myself, however, on final conclusions leaving aside
detailed, though certainly exciting, description of everything that had
happened in the meantime (those of you, more deeply interested in details, are
welcome to search Loaches On-line files). Thanks to the help and assistance of
one of the most recognized contemporary “botialogists” dr Tyson Royal Roberts -
discoverer of Syncrossus reversa and Yasuhikotakia splendida species, it was
explained that specimens I have are a variation of the Speckletail loach existent
in the
Undoubtedly,
following available evidence and my years lasting personal experience, this
species belonging to the Modesta (Yasuhikotakia
modesta) complex is, to despair of loach enthusiast around the world,
extremely seldom seen in the aquarium trade and hobby. I haven’t yet found any
other description or even a single photo of the variation of the Speckletail
loach found in the 
standard fish is also very limited.
Members of this species are visually, omitting details of fin coloration and
markings, similar, at least at first sight, to both Yasuhikotakia modesta and Yasuhikotakia
lecontei. A little bit more detailed visual inspection will soon reveal,
however, that speckletail loaches are generally neither so slim as Yasuhikotakia lecontei nor so heavily
built like Yasuhikotakia modesta,
placing themselves somewhere between the latter two mentioned species. Probably
the most characteristic feature of the Speckletail loaches, that makes them
different from other Modesta complex members, are small brownish/blackish dots
(speckles) distributed not only on caudal (original description), but also on
dorsal and sometimes anal fins (
Fish
of this species attain total length slightly exceeding 10cm (4 inches), exhibiting,
in the contrary to their bigger family relatives, higher than usual vitality
and temperament. In community tank they have dominated over LeConte, Queen or
Zebra loaches. They 
did, however, give up the field, to
smaller in size, but a bit more aggressive and territorial, loachy goddess (Sun
loach, Yasuhikotakia eos). The battle
for domination in central part of the tank has fortunately been limited to
funny pushes out of the coconut shell, considered probably by tank community
(at least by loaches) as local headquarters. They were accompanied by loud
characteristic sounds (clicking noises) generated by members of the competing
tribes. This situation, did not last for too long though, and new order had
been accepted by both initially antagonist sides. It is interesting to note
that when the community was moved to a new, bigger tank with a bit different
bottom topology and shelter distribution, the initial problem had not been
altered again. Every loach quickly found appropriate, satisfactory, well suited
for the needs shelter, did not even trying to anect and claim other fish
territory.
Four
years have gone since my very first encounter of this truly wonderful species.
In the meantime, despite my countless efforts and attention put on every new
arrival, I was unable to find yet another proof of its existence. Yes, I had
got, have 
to admit, original Speckletail loach
(no dots on fins but caudal), but not these dorsal fin ocellated gems. But,
fortunately, things, both good and bad, do not last in our lives forever. In
January 2004, a fellow loach enthusiast’s trip to capital city of