Care
The Queen Loach has a widespread distribution throughout much of the Brahmaputra and Ganges watersheds. Here, it inhabits rivers and mountain streams with moderate flow and sandy or silty substrates. The natural habitat should be emulated as closely as possible in the home aquarium by employing powerful filtration and using additional powerheads to create areas of decent current and to oxygenate the water efficiently. As with all botiids, these loaches must only be added to spacious aquariums that are biologically mature. Create a multitude of hiding spots and 'visual barriers' with smooth rounded rocks, cobbles, and pebbles of varying sizes, along with some driftwood and areas of robust planting. Ensure that the substrate has no sharp edges as these loaches will enjoy digging around the bottom of the tank in their search for titbits of food, and it is important that nothing damages their delicate sensory barbels. Dim lighting is preferable, and a well-covered tank is a must as these loaches are expert jumpers and can escape through the tiniest of openings. As with all botiids, B. dario fares best with company of its own kind; 5 specimens should be considered the absolute minimum housed together, with larger groups much more preferable. This will not only allow these fish to form a complex social hierarchy and behave naturally within a shoal, but will also help to spread any territorial behaviour amongst the group. Due to a mildly aggressive temperament, these fish are best housed alongside other fairly robust species, and tankmates could include other botiids, Crossocheilus spp., Garra spp., and some of the medium sized barb species. Avoid keeping with any long-finned fish which would prove too much of a temptation. A juvenile and adult are pictured above. May also be seen on sale as the Bengal Loach.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, micropellets, algae wafers, cucumber, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia, mysis etc. Will eat snails.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
