Zebra Loach

Scientific Name: Botia striata Other Names: Zebra loach, Candystripe loach Origin: Maharashtra and Western Ghats, India Adult Size: Adult size 3-4 inches Social: Peaceful, active, shoaling Lifespan: 15 years or more Tank Level: Bottom Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallon Diet: Omnivorous, will take most aquarium foods, supplement with live/frozen foods Breeding: Not known to breed in the aquarium Care: pH: 7.0 or below Hardenss: Soft Temperature: 73ºF to 81ºF (23 - 27°C)

A peaceful, active, shoaling species that should be maintained in groups of 5 or more in the community aquarium. Keep on a fine sandy substrate in order to protect the delicate sensory barbel area, and ensure that there are plenty of hiding places in the aquarium amongst bogwood, caves, and plants. Clean, well-aerated water is a must.

They will accept most brands of dry sinking catfish pellets, but should be offered a variety of frozen foods to supplement the diet - mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, and daphnia are usually taken with much enthusiasm. Vegetable matter such as slices of cucumber will also be appreciated. This species, as with other simlier loaches will eat small aquatic snails

Like many other Botia Striata the Zebea Loach has the typical torpedo shape of many botia. The body is brown with thin vertical yellow stripes. The fins are translucent; the caudal fin is marked with brown bands or spots. With the mouth sometimes ringed with red. Although Botia Striata and other loaches are generally thought of a scaleless fish, they, in fact, do have small scales. The mouth is downward-facing, with three pairs of barbels. There are no teeth in the jaw. Being Cyprinids, loaches have pharyngeal teeth (grinding teeth in their throat). The Zebra Loach has small subocular spines which retract into slots.

Zebra Loaches are relatively undemanding fish and once acclimatized can thrive in a wide range of water parameters, although softer and more acidic water is generally preferred. Like all loaches, they are sensitive to D.O.C. (dissolved organic compounds), so regular water changes are a must. Zebras are cooler water botia, liking temps around 76, although a few degrees warmer or cooler is tolerated well. They spend most of their time searching the bottom for food, so a soft substrate of sand or small/medium gravel is a must, as are rock caves, plants and other hiding places. Although Zebra Loaches do not come from fast-moving water, some current in the tank is appreciated.

Zebra loaches are delightful and peaceful little loaches, and some of my favourites. They are very active fish, always busy rooting in the gravel or playing tag with each other. Zebras are quite social with each other and should not be kept alone. Although they are bottom dwellers, Zebras will make regular forays to the mid and upper water. At feeding time they hover in mid-water, fins working furiously like little hummingbirds. They are strong, fast swimmers and delight in playing with each other in the current of the power heads. Although very peaceful and good tank citizens, they are utterly fearless with other fish, a trait that sometimes gets them in trouble. When choosing tank mates, be sure that they are not put in with aggressive fish. Zebra Loaches are omnivorous and will readily take prepared foods. Mine get a varied diet of flake, carnivore pellets, sinking wafers, Spirulina, algae wafers, and live or frozen food of all kinds. Frozen bloodworms are a favourite. Although small, they are good snailers and will eat a large quantity of small snails. At feeding times and after lights out, you will often hear them 'click' at each other, a sound like a rubber band snapping. How the Loaches make this sound is unknown. In common with other scale less or small-scaled fish, they are susceptible to ich and other skin parasites. When treating, be sure to check the directions on your cure of choice and follow the directions for scale less fish. Avoid malachite green preparations.

All non-aggressive fish with similar requirements. Any squabbling they do is usually among themselves. These fish get along famously with clown loaches or other non-aggressive loaches. They require the company of their own kind and a group of at least three is necessary - four or more is better.

For information on Loaches Click Zebra Loach