Chinese Royal Clown Loach, (Leptobotia Pellegrini)

I am a subscriber to the online fishfinder service, and once in a while it means that I receive an email about a particularly desirable fish which has turned up for sale somewhere in the UK this week I received a notification that was of particular interest to me. As you all probably know I spent my childhood in Hong Kong and therefore am particularly interested in Southern Chinese creatures. I have a Southern Chinese fish tank that I have set up in my sitting room and I am always vaguely looking for new fish from the area. So when I received the following email I was quite excited: 

“Rarity alert : Chinese Royal Clown Loach, Leptobotia Pellegrini is now in stock at Wildwoods. 16th October 2015. Wildwoods have taken delivery this week of a very rare loach, the Chinese Royal Clown Loach, Leptobotia Pellegrini.. This is the first time Wildwoods have had this particular species in stock and we believe it is only the second time we have seen these fish for sale on Tropicalfishfinder. This is a large species of loach that can grow as big as 20cm and the examples Wildwoods have in stock are between 15cm and 18cm in length. These fish would work particularly well in a large community tank. There are only 8 fish available so be quick if you don't want to miss out on the loach opportunity of the year! The good news is that they are now available on the Tropicalfish2yourdoor shop for overnight delivery direct to your door. The photographs on the left and right are of the actual fish that are for sale” 

They are an undeniably handsome species, and furthermore one that I have never seen before so I looked at the price I don’t care how handsome they are, but at £65 a pop, I'm afraid they will not be gracing the CFZ aquaria any time soon.