They are often in mixed with b. kubotai, yoyo, histrionica shipments the last several years. So study the differences in those species at different ages. Just 1 alone might be aggressive & at up to 8 inches might cause trouble with smallish fish...Maybe even similar loaches would help with that...or he may just beat up the other loaches since he'll likely be always larger...hard to say...he will know he's different if you try that...
To me, looking at your pics, I'd focus on the yellow/gold body color (yoyos & histys are more creamy whitish) & the pattern of 2 rows of small dots with connecting lines. Kubotai (I think) have only 1 line of connecting along the lateral line as they grow & are also less yellow-y. Yoyos always (almost anyway) have a Y-dot (or circle) repeated pattern. It'll depend on the size of your fish & any similar loaches your lfs may get. I know you have friends with a lfs, maybe they can help. Histys (the only 1 of those species I've kept) are kind of in between all those at some sizes. More of a Y by the dosal fin but with a few lines instead dots or circles as in yoyos & no connecting lines as in kubs & rostratas.
I have seen botia "geto" refer to b. dario but that's definately NOT your fish. (gold & dark stripes only & much smaller with a different head shape)
A bit more info, but not pics
Botia rostrata (Botia dayi) — Seriously Fish
What site is your preferred for loach ID? There's always loachfanatics FB page (run by mad duff formerly of lol). LOL.com is pretty much dead these days
, But Charles Koenig? still comes by once in a great while, he's very knowledgeable, I'm not sure he does FB...
