In the home aquarium they are more likely to reach a size of 8.5 cm (3.3 in). The best site to learn all about your favorite freshwater aquarium fish! This loach has a beautiful golden coloration with vertical black … The Golden Zebra Loach (Botia almorhae), also known as the Burmese or Silver Striped Loach, is native to India and throughout Myanmar. Once settled, they are relatively long lived and will reward you with all the social interactions of their natural behaviours. A relatively recent discovery, Botia kubotai, sometimes known as the Polka Dot Loach, hails from fast flowing waters in Myanmar. As such, they are a great addition to a community tank. Botia almorhae was first described in 1920. This usually settles down within a few days as they get to know their new home. Do Loaches Eat Snails? While they may acclimatise to water of a medium hardness, it is simply unfair to force these fish to adapt to inappropriately high levels of hardness and pH. These fish will eat pretty much anything you put in front of them, so it’s important to make sure you’re giving them the right stuff! 5 Things to Consider - AquariumNexus Finally! It is thought to reach a maximum size of around 15 cm (6 in), and can be kept with most community fish, although very tiny or long-finned varieties are probably best avoided. It’s glorious pattern of thin alternating black and white bars is eye-catching, and lends itself perfectly to this fish’s other common name of Candystripe Loach. Very sadly, this fish is now critically endangered in the wild due to the building of man made dams along the rivers of its native Thailand. Beware of dyed specimens, which still unfortunately enter the trade. Who said assassin snails won't eat my shrimp?? without any obvious aggression. The most commonly available Botia that stays quite small is Botia morleti, the Skunk Loach. Kept as a group, these loaches will be more concerned with each other than their tank mates, although small fish and long-finned fish should definitely be avoided. The fish inhabits in India and Pakistan. In a larger set-up, you may be able to get away with housing a shoal of Skunks with a group of medium-sized fast-moving barbs, for example. should I get a lohachata botia loach or a Tiger Botia Loach (Botia hymenophysa) or what else would be the best at eating the snails from my freshwater plants. Many Botia keepers have told horror stories about their fish becoming trapped in spaces into which they never would have considered them able to squeeze or fit. However, they are aggressive characters and are not suited to the general community aquarium environment. This species is nocturnal, so for best viewing purposes, employ the use of blue moon lighting set to come on for a few hours just as the main lights switch off. There was a survey conducted in 2010 on whether Kuhli loach eats snails. Similarly, your dealer should always ‘double bag’ any loaches purchased, to ensure that their spines do not break through the bag on your journey home. They are yellow in color with diagonal black striations. As a rule, they prefer water that is soft and slightly acidic, and this should be replicated as closely as possible in the home aquarium for best long-term results. Behavior. Unfortunately, although only growing to about 100mm it has a really bad attitude and can be very aggressive. Once acclimatised and released into the tank, you should leave the lights off for several hours afterwards in order to allow them to explore their new surroundings in relative darkness. They can attain 25 cm (10 in) in length, but will rarely grow to more than 18 cm (7 in) in the home aquarium. Kept as solitary specimens they can become either aggressive or reclusive, the latter causing them to pine away, sometimes refusing to feed, leading to a painful and premature death. Juveniles sport a black twin bar (ladder like) pattern on a white-gold background, and as the fish mature, this transforms into a net-like reticulated pattern. These fish develop social bonds with each other and find comfort in the form of a shoal of others of their own kind. Original article by Emma Turner first published in Tropical World Magazine, Issue 9. These loaches will help maintain your tank by eating algae and organic matter that accumulates over time and they will also eat snails, making them ideal for snail control. The spines can become entangled in the netting material, causing them much distress. Contests including the Tank of the Month, You should aim for at least two partial changes per week, removing and replacing a total of twenty-five percent total tank volume weekly, at the minimum. Therefore, care should always be taken when netting these fish as they may extend those spines in self-defence when threatened. I personally tend to stay away from bloodworm, as it is a very rich food. Anything sharp must be avoided to protect the delicate sensory barbel area. Zebra loach (Botia striata) The zebra loach is also ideal for the community aquarium because of its gentle nature and, more importantly, because of its relatively smaller size to about 9cm/3.5”. But I would imagine more is preferable. But, be warned! Backwaters, ponds, lakes are typical habitats for yoyo loach. When adding food to the aquarium, it is not unusual to see some smaller loaches grabbing a piece and swimming off to a hidey-hole to eat it in peace, away from their larger fellow loaches, which may otherwise try and steal the food from right out of their mouths! Botia loaches are often employed to exterminate a pest snail infestation, so it is advisable to avoid the botia family of loach if you wish to maintain your snail population. In captivity, clown loaches live an average of ten years. But we do like its alternate name the "Queen Loach" as being much more descriptive of its regal appearance. These fish love to eat freshwater snails. Synonyms: Botia sidthimunki (Klausewitz, 1959),Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki (Kottelat, 2004) Distribution: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand. Ambastaia: Named for Ambastai, a river considered to correspond to the Mekong in Ptolemy’s (ca. The Redtail Botia Loach appreciates caves, holes, and other places to hide, especially when it sleeps. You can also supplement the diet with slices of cucumber, courgette (zucchini), or even melon, held in place with a marine ‘lettuce grip’ or weighed down with some aquatic plant weights, which the loaches should thoroughly enjoy. However, it is not likely that the dance is always a stress reaction, as loaches have been known to do this even in tanks that have been set up for years. Loaches enjoy eating meaty foods, but are omnivorous; they can eat vegetation foods when insects and other animals are scarce. Tiger loach commonly called clown loach is another species of the botia family that is popular in the home aquarium, albeit bigger than zebra and yoyo loaches. It is a very active, inquisitive fish that is very gregarious in nature. The most important feed is the one at the end of the day when the lights go out – as I have said previously, most loaches prefer subdued lighting and not all will be confident enough to venture out until the light levels are reduced. Does it suck the insides of the snail out or chew it or crush the shell? As a juvenile, this species looks somewhat similar to the Yo Yo Loach (Botia almorhae), but is a distinctly different species. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. Overall, the Zebra loach is a beautiful, active, and peaceful fish. Snails and Botia striata. Clown Loaches can attain a size of 30-40 cm (12-14 in) in the home aquarium, and grow even larger in the wild. However, I once added a shoal of thirteen of these fish into my large Clown Loach aquarium, where they wreaked utter havoc and nipped at the fins of all the Clowns, even those that were huge in comparison. Without a sufficient number of hiding spots, the loaches will be in a permanently stressed-out state and therefore vulnerable to problems such as white spot (Ichthyophthirius mulitifiliis). In 2004, fish taxonomist Dr. Maurice Kottelat reported that he considered the Ladder Loach, Botia rostrata, to be a junior synonym of B. almorhae. Juvenile Lohachata Botia Loaches have a gold to silver metallic sheen that turns a gray to green in adults, without the sheen. One of the greatest joys within the tropical freshwater hobby surely is keeping loaches from the genus Botia, members of the family Cobitidae. Among the respondent aquarists, 67% of them voted on; they had heard that Kuhli loach eats snail but they had not seen it. - February 2021 Tank of the Month (31 Gallons and larger), Tank of the Month, One of the smaller species of the Botia family, The head of this Loach is round with three pairs of barbells that grace the snout, one maxillary set, and two rostral pairs. Water should be at pH 6.5-7.5, temperature at 23-26°C/73-79°F. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The water should also be low in nitrates, clean and well oxygenated. Sexual Dimorphism: Females generally plumper all over than males and can get extremely fat when full of eggs. The Bengal Loach Botia dario is a stately looking fish from Bangladesh, and thus is suitably named. However, their size can depend on several factors. Botia almorhae can reach 17cm (6.8 in) in length, and their markings transform into a more reticulated pattern as they age. The Pakistani Loach, Botia lohachata, has a different range and darker markings, and tends to grow a bit larger: Native to the Ganges basin, young Almora loaches are usually found in the lower parts of the system and adults in the higher streams. Adults are very powerful fish and require a great deal of swimming space – the footprint of the tank is always more important than the height. This should be attempted with caution, regularly monitoring the tank to ensure that the other inhabitants are not becoming victimised. Welcome: Introduce Yourself & Learn More About TFF. Their adult size requires a tank at least five feet long. The breeding habits of this species are not known, and successful captive breeding has yet to be recorded. Botiine loaches are shoaling species and must always be kept in groups. The Yoyo Loach goes by the scientific name Botia almorhae, and is also known as the Almora loach. Three unconnected “Y” markings typically occur in adult and juvenile specimens which give rise to one of their common names, the Yoyo Loach.. Breeding. Rocks which are rough and sharp (such as lava rock), should definitely be avoided. Polka dot loach (Botia kubotai) Always remember to keep the hood tightly covered, as all loaches are expert jumpers. The loaches should have been rested after import for several weeks before sale to ensure that no problems arise. They will usually form a pecking order, with a fish known as the ‘Alpha loach’ quite obviously in charge – this is usually (but not always) the largest loach in the aquarium and is often a female. These inquisitive and predominately bottom-dwelling fish originate from quite a vast geographic area, which covers most of Asia. To add to the confusion, the genus Botia was revised in 2004, placing the majority of the Botiine loaches into new genera. Botia striata is one of these species. Ideally, the tank will have been set up for a few months before they are introduced. Probably the most readily available of what I would term a ‘small and peaceful species’ would undoubtedly be the Zebra Loach (Botia striata) from India. Remember that these fish need to be kept in groups of five or more individuals. On your arrival home, you should turn off your aquarium lights whilst acclimatising your loaches, to minimise stress. swallows in colchester is where ALL our fish have come from...... swallows dont have any chain loach....... You must log in or register to reply here. To keep these magnificent fish, you will need to house smaller specimens in a tank at least four feet long, and be prepared to move them into a minimum 6’ x 2’ x 2’ when adult. Fish that are offered for sale these days are the result of captive breeding projects (probably via hormone injection) and as a result, prices can be quite high. Author Note: Zebra Loaches aren’t great with most freshwater aquarium snails since they’ll try to eat the smaller ones. The typical Yoyo Loach size is only about 2.5 inches long when fully grown. Fishes of the genus Botia in the Indian Region - part 1, Fishes of the genus Botia in the Indian Region - part 2, Loach Book Published by Loaches Online Editors. Unfortunately, finding any accurate information on their care can be difficult, and many wrong opinions abound. A 20 gallon or larger tank is recommended. I have found Microsorium pteropus (Java fern) and Anubias species to be the most robust, and seem to outlast the loaches attentions the longest. Botiine loaches will appreciate a good flow in the aquarium, which can be provided by spray bar returns from external filters or via the use of additional powerheads. Closing up holes in ceramic décor or wood with aquarium silicon sealant can keep this from happening to you. Despite this development linking the two species, many people report that these fish are actually much friendlier than B. almorhae. Your dealer should also recognise this need, and under no circumstances should they keep their loaches in bare stock tanks. We are a family friendly community with an incredible resource of information for fish owners and enthusiast alike. One other point to bear in mind is that Botia prefer subdued lighting, another reason why plants may not always fare so well in such a set-up. Clown Loaches can attain a size of 30-40 cm (12-14 in) in the home aquarium, and grow even larger in the wild. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © I probably throw in 50 snails a day into my loach tank and they are gone by the next morning. Plants can be added to the aquarium, but generally do not last long, as most loaches may either pop holes in the leaves or even snip off small stemmed plants entirely. They usually perform their dance when it is getting close to feeding time, and they are very obviously excited. I was advised at least 3 when I got mine. Scientific name: Ambastaia sidthimunki (Kottelat, 2012) Common name: Dwarf Chain Loach, Dwarf Loach, Dwarf Botia, Chipmunk Botia, "Sid". How anyone could think that the magnificent natural colours of this species need altering is beyond me - steer clear of any shops supporting this cruel and unnecessary practice. They are found in northern India; Cambodia, Laos, Thailand. what they look like? It is therefore advisable to shop around until you are confident that the dealer is providing well-rested and well-fed fish, preferably of at least 5 cm (2 in) in size (with the exception of the dwarf species Y. sidthimunki). Fish under this size are generally weaker and may not do well unless fed intensively, which is not usually possible in the confines of the home aquarium. Botia are very sensitive to less than good water conditions, and therefore should not be the first fish added to a new aquarium. It took the best part of a day to catch and re-home them, so I would advise a certain amount of caution when considering this species. You need to keep the water quality and tank in pristine condition if you hope to see that kind of lifespan. Clowns can live for decades (some sources suggest up to fifty years) if cared for correctly, so they are a life-long investment and should be treated with respect. It is peaceful in temperament and can be kept with most other fish, with the exception of some long-finned varieties. They may also try to bite each other, but this is not normally anything to worry about as no harm is usually done and the disputes are settled relatively quickly. In some cases, particularly if the gravel is not kept free of detritus, the sores on the barbels can become infected. The Skunk Loach, Yasuhikotakia (formerly Botia) morleti is inexpensive, readily available, and stays small at around 10 cm (4 in). An open swimming area should be included in your aquarium, as these fish often enjoy swimming the length of the tank and back in their shoals, usually in the evening, or under further subdued lighting, such as a blue moon tube. The type specimens were collected from the Megathat Chaung (Megathat stream) in the upper Ataran (known as the Kasat in Thai) River basin, Kayin/Karen State, Myanmar and another population was later discovered in the Hanthayaw River(Suriya in Thai), Tak Province, Thailand. Clown Loach Lifespan. A curious and attractive addition to your tank, the zebra loach has the typical torpedo – shaped body of most botia. They will spread all their fins wide and assume a slightly nose down position, whilst circling each other and making audible clicking sounds. Larger specimens will very much appreciate chopped prawns (salad shrimp). When kept in a confined space, they can cause much damage to other fish species. These fish do not grow bigger than 2.5 inches (around 6 cm) and are semi-aggressive in nature. Avoid fish that appear lethargic with clamped fins, or fish that are painfully underweight. Ideal tank mates would also include loaches from the Tiger Botia group, (now known as Syncrossus sp), such as S. hymenophysa, S. helodes, and S. berdmorei. Do Zebra loaches eat snails? do they eat snails? You are using an out of date browser. You may notice the fish in question become paler and more grey in appearance (a term referred to as ‘greying out’). Yes they will,, if you crack the snails shell.. otherwise they cannot. Larger specimens may even require a third layer. Reaching around 13 cm (5.2 in) maximum length, it is not as widely available in the hobby as perhaps it should be. Scientific Name: Botia almorhae (Gray, 1831) Common name: Yoyo Loach, Almorha Loach, Pakistani Loach, Reticulated loach Synonyms: Botia lohachata Distribution: India, Nepal, Bangladesh. Still, the species is a peaceful fish and co-exists with other fish in a community tank. The botia family of loaches naturally prey on snails as they have adapted mouths evolved to get into the shell and scope out the innards. Yasuhikotakia (formerly Botia) sidthimunki is the smallest member of the group. For the more peaceful species, you should invest in some ‘dither fish’. Found in the clear mountain streams between India and Myanmar, this beautiful fish has a pattern of irregular black bars on a white background. They are not. No two fish share exactly the same colour pattern, and these markings change as the fish mature. In the wild, they’re capable of reaching a max size of 6 inches in length. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month and more! Adapted for Loaches Online by kind permission. But if all that fails, a smaller species of loach, like polka dot, yoyo, zebra loach, would eat all the snails, and they also help by eating leftover food before it can rot and pollute the tank. A common trait of newly introduced Botiine loaches (or if you change the décor around in an existing tank containing loaches) is for them to perform what is nicknamed by loach enthusiasts as ‘The Loachy Dance’. I use various sinking catfish pellets (of which the JMC brand are much preferred! They are also a natural predator of snails, and will aid in their control in the aquarium. This is also the best time to ensure that they get their fair share of the food. Usually kept relatively flat beneath their skin, they can easily go unnoticed. While the clown loach reaches a size of nearly 40 cm (16 in.) I regularly see my shoal of forty Clown loaches doing this in the evenings under blue moon lighting. Diet, tank size, and genetics are all major factors that influence how bit these fish can get. Loaches, being river fish, are accustomed to living in the clean fresh waters that their native waterways provide – they are not used to the build-up of organic wastes that can occur all too easily in the closed system of an aquarium, so regular partial water changes are essential. Because they are versatile, yoyo loaches are easy to feed. Books, websites, or dealers that suggest six inches as a maximum size are simply advising incorrectly. Yoyo Loach Size. This small species can be extremely nasty, and they are best housed in a large tank because of their aggression level. Décor should also be chosen carefully in order to protect these very small-scaled fish from harm. People who said, “Kuhli loach does not eat snails” were null. Please Reference this article for more about pH & Gh: Aquarium Chemistry In this article, I hope to provide solid information on the proper care of these wonderful fish, and show you how a shoal of loaches can really liven up your aquarium. I can’t recommend this species enough! Pictures of my Blood Fins and Corys. Oh, and if you see them lying on their sides, they are most probably just having a snooze…. Its habitats are waters with slow flow or impounded waters, so it can be said that the fish doesn’t like water flows presence. 2000-2021 ), sinking carnivore pellets, algae wafers, Tetra Prima, and frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae (their favourite), brineshrimp, daphnia, krill, mysis etc. Loaches, more often than not, tend to be lumped into the somewhat misleading category of ‘scavengers’. JavaScript is disabled. Thus is suitably named small crustaceans, insect larvae and even plant matter time... 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Enthusiast alike premier Tropical fish and co-exists with other Botia sp juvenile Lohachata loaches. Spines in self-defence when threatened, temperature at 23-26°C/73-79°F when full of eggs, to! Appreciates caves, holes, and this usually occurs between two similar sized fish in Myanmar rumors of cared! Stunning addition to a community tank stripe from head to tail, and will reward with! Aquarium sand ( my preferred choice ) or fine smooth aquatic gravel a really bad and! Other fish, including other Botia sp particularly if the gravel is not kept free detritus! Their markings transform into a more reticulated pattern as they age a fairly peaceful species many!