Close-up photos of the underside of a hillstream loach

[Ecooper]

Close-up photos of the underside of a hillstream loach (family Balitoridae) as it clings to the inside of the glass in my aquarium—you can clearly see internal structures such as the heart and skeleton. These fish live by clinging to the surface of rocks and submerged objects, grazing on algae and other microorganisms. Normally I would hate an aquarium photo that didn’t have utterly clean glass. But in this case, I think the scattering of algae adds to the photo by providing context: it shows that the specimen is on glass while showcasing the food it is grazing on.

Cheers,

EC

www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/8427954291/'>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/8427954291/'>loach 2 copyright ernie cooper 2012 jpg by http://www.flickr.com/people/creepy-crawlers/'>ernie.cooper, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/8427956115/'>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creepy-crawlers/8427956115/'>loach belly copyright ernie cooper 2012 jpg by http://www.flickr.com/people/creepy-crawlers/'>ernie.cooper, on Flickr

 

[hierodula]

Awesome!

 

[OctoberRainne]

The luminescence on these is quite beautiful when you get to see it

 

[hibiscusmile]

why did I click here.????

 

[lancaster1313]

I love the cute mouth and belly!

It reminds me of my Chaetostoma sp. (Rubber Plecostomus).

 

[Montana]

Wow! Love your pictures. You do a great job of showcasing the natural beauty of all these little creatures!

 

[Ecooper]

Thanks everyone!

EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

 

[Ecooper]

I love the cute mouth and belly!

It reminds me of my Chaetostoma sp. (Rubber Plecostomus).

Interesting how similar they are to plecostomus (to which they aren't related) isn't it?

EC

www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

 

[lancaster1313]

Interesting how similar they are to plecostomus (to which they aren't related) isn't it?

EC

www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

Indeed. If I had the space, I would have a tank with just catfish, bottom, and side sucker type fish. I love watching them when they are active and seeing their cute mouths and bellies.