weather loach

[fish_freak]

I just happened to be browsing through an lfs and found one of these guys who was about 5" and only 2 bucks so I picked him up. My question now is how do they predict the weather? I want to see if this guy really works being as where supposed to get snow tommorow here.

[ChilDawg]

They freak out if the barometric pressure drops rapidly, or they may pass gas as their response to the same stimulus. If your pressure had already dropped, they won't indicate the onslaught of snow, but if it hasn't, be prepared for some Weather Loach antics!

[Heady]

I've heard that when there are large swings in barometric pressure they get really active swimming around. However, I've also heard that in an aquarium you may not see this behavior, especially if they don't have enough space.

If he is misgurnus fossilis ("weather loach"), he can get to be 11 inches long. If he is cobitis taenia taenia ("spotted weather loach"), he will only get to be about 4 inches long. How big is your tank?

[ChilDawg]

If it is sold under the name "Weather Loach" in the Eastern portion of the U.S., it is likely Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, which will attain the same size as the M. fossilis.

[fish_freak]

My guess is that he is the misgurnus fossilis being as he is not spotted and is allready 5 inches. He is pretty much just a light brown color. The tank that he is in is 90 gallons so no worries on size. The pressure is still high right now the snow is moving in tommorow so I guess Ill get to see the antics then.

[fish_freak]

do you have a site that will show pictures of the two so I might possibly be able to differentiate what one it is?

[Heady]

Not on hand. Just do a search at Google and click the Images tab.