Schistura poculi
Summary
Scientific name: Schistura poculi (Banarescu & Nalbant, 1995)
Common name: None
Synonyms: Noemacheilus poculi, Nemacheilus poculi
Distribution: Mekong Basin, Thailand
Sexual Dimorphism: No obvious dimorphism, unlike other similar species. Females probably plumper.
Maximum size: Not known, probably 3 to 4 inches (8 -10cm)
Similar to: Several Schistura species, notably S. geisleri
Care: Lives in brooks and streams with swift current, among large pebbles, stones and boulders. Also in creeks and streams with moderate current and clear water The aquarium should have a decent flow rate and be well-oxygenated. Provide piles of large pebbles or slate to create hiding places. The rest of the aquarium base should have smooth rounded pebbles and sand or fine grained gravel with reasonably bright lighting. Please see Hillstream Loaches: Specialists at Life in the Fast Lane for a more detailed explanation.
Feeding: Most foods accepted. Commercial sinking formulations and bottom-dwelling live-foods. Frozen foods such as bloodworm and/or brine shrimp.
Water parameters: pH: 6.0-7.5 Hardness: Soft-medium. Max dh: 12
Temperature: 68ºF to 77 ºF (18-25°C)
Breeding: Not known in aquarium.
S. poculi in natural habitat, Thailand. Note reflective patch at the base of the dorsal fin, lit by the camera flash.
Notes
Schistura poculi is fairly territorial and is best housed in an aquarium featuring multiple hiding places and decor designed to break line of sight between territories.
The color pattern is shared with several other Schistura species. S. poculi is distinguished from S. vinciguerrae by 8+7 branched caudal rays (versus 9+8 ), from S. mahnerti and S. bella. Another distinguishing feature is the presence of an underlying reflective area of tissue at the base of the dorsal fin. This will reflect light or a camera flash (see photos).
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