unknown L#

[Catfish-ologist]

I went to an aquarium shop today and wanted to know what this was. Is it some kind of Loricariidae maybe please help id???

[bekateen]

Not a catfish at all.

Cheers, Eric

[panaque]

It’s a cyprinid (carp-like fishes). A Garra species of some sort I think.

[Jools]

It's Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, I've not seen one of these in ages. Not a great algae eater, but they are commonly sold as such.

Jools

[Catfish-ologist]

Wow yes that is a unique fish thanks for helping

[Acanthicus]

Obviously Jools is right, but what I find interesting is that he hasn't seen these anymore in ages. Same here! I used to sell them in high quantities 15 years ago, but they are getting "rare" in shops nowadays. Interesting how the readily available stock has changed in so many fields during the last years.

[Catfish-ologist]

Yes they do seem rare I don't even know if it was for sale, I believe it was in the owners tank of a very large aquarium shop... Aquariums Unlimited

[bekateen]

Common Chinese algae eater? Sadly, these are as common as guppies at LFS around me. They grow way too large for many tanks and as adults they get so food-hungry and behaviorally grumpy that they make lousy tankmates for most fish of a typical home fish tank.

Like the common plecos, I wish fewer were sold in the trade, with LFS retailers providing more appropriate care info to prospective buyers before the sale occurs. ... Just my two cents.

Cheers, Eric