![zebra loach zebra loach](https://aquadiction.world/img/profile/hovering-zebra-loach-4.jpg)
Although not extremely fast-growing, well-fed individuals may put on a couple of inches per year and will outgrow most moderate-size aquariums. This is a massive, jumbo-size fish, which puts out a lot of waste and demands clean, oxygenated, warm water. They do have a few drawbacks that the hobbyist must take into account before purchasing some of these orange and black beauties. One look at the striking and colorful patterning on the clown loach and it is no wonder why this fish has become the most popular of all the loaches for the home aquarium. Once in a while a large clown loach may get a little possessive about its food, but other than a few minor squabbles these fish are usually model tankmates. macracanthus possess all of the desirable personality traits of loaches, such as being highly social, playful, and comical without being aggressive or overly territorial. The flagship of its clan, the beloved clown loach is a perennial favorite and a mainstay in the aquarium hobby. They have proven to be durable captive subjects and it is hoped that aquarists will have some luck propagating this fish. rostrata and histrionica.Įmperors make energetic, dashing show fish that are not overly aggressive with other species, but actively chase each other around the aquarium.
![zebra loach zebra loach](https://aquadiction.world/img/profile/820-golden-zebra-loach1.jpg)
The other botias cohabitating with emperors are extremely stocky, with patterns similar to B. My close friend Soe Nyunt Tun of Yangon, Myanmar has collected the emperor botia alongside several other unidentified botias in the Tenasserim River near the town of Myitta. Despite their steep price, the answer was an emphatic “yes!” Imagine my surprise when vendor Frank Greco informed me that he had several pieces coming in that weekend! He asked, needlessly, if I had any interest in purchasing them. It is said that these botias can only be taken out by an old drug smuggling route hampered by drug dealers, civil unrest, and remoteness. Loaches Online (reports that the yellow and chocolate emperor hails from the remote Tenasserim River in Myanmar (Burma), where access is impeded by military protection. Known as the “holy grail” of loaches, this dazzlingly yellow species was once considered unobtainable, and it dwelled, a wish unfulfilled, on every loach enthusiast’s most-wanted list. This Indian species appreciates a fine sand substrate, and is very active, while still being milder and never playing as rough as some of the more outgoing botias do. The thin gray/green lines on their flanks vary in width, and the body coloration can be dusky pink, light orange, or yellowish. This is a completely innocuous little loach that should be considered for any community of peaceful fish. Included is an aggression scale of 1 to 5 for each loach species, with “1” being inoffensive and gentle, and “5” being highly antagonistic. What follows is a continuation of part one’s “gallery of species,” a random sampling of loach species that I have either personally kept or have collected in nature. There are many different species of these fun-filled fishes, and all of them have different features, temperaments, maximum sizes, and other characteristics. In part one of this article I highlighted the delightful clowns of the water world known as loaches. In part 2 of his series, the intrepid explorer/collector continues his overview of the sociable and energetic jesters of the freshwater aquarium hobby. When kept singly they can become withdrawn or aggressive towards similarly-shaped fishes, and if only a pair or trio are purchased the dominant individual may stress the other(s) to the extent that they stop feeding.Loaches: Riverine Acrobats of the Orient, Part 2 are gregarious, form complex social hierarchies and should be maintained in groups of at least 5 or 6 specimens, preferably 10 or more. As always, thorough research prior to selecting a community of fishes is the best way to avoid problems.īotia spp.
![zebra loach zebra loach](https://tropical-fish-keeping.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Red-Tail-Zebra-Loach-Schistura-mahnerti...jpg)
Some cobitid and nemacheilid loaches are also possibilities as are members of Epalzeorhynchos, Crossocheilus and Garra and many catfishes. In terms of other bottom-dwellers they will do well alongside most other Botia and in very large tanks, Chromobotia macracanthus. More suitable tankmates include peaceful, open water-dwelling cyprinids, while in larger tanks members of Barilius, Luciosoma, Balantiocheilos and Barbonymus become options. Slow-moving, long-finned species such as ornamental bettas, guppies and many cichlids should also be avoided as trailing fins can be nipped.
![zebra loach zebra loach](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.ecwid.com/images/5391016/980625087.jpg)
Peaceful but don’t keep it with much smaller fishes as they may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour. ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE? LEAVE A REVIEW HERE.