An active, shoaling species useful for controlling snail infestations in the aquarium
Overview
Synonyms
None
Distribution
India, western Thailand, and the Salween basin in Myanmar (Burma).
Maximum Size
13cm (5.1")
Temperature
25-28°C
Water Parameters
Long-term, soft and slightly acidic water is best. pH: <7.5, dH: <12.
Compatibility
Community
Lighting
Low
Sexual Dimorphism
Mature females likely to have a rounder abdominal area.
Feeding
Catfish pellets, granules, flake and frozen foods
Description
Care
Silver Striped Loaches are extremely social fish and must be maintained in shoals of 5 or more. They are a relatively peaceful member of the Botia genus, and can usually be safely housed in most community settings with no long-finned fish. Occasionally minor squabbles may break out between themselves, but any stress can be reduced by adding more fish to the shoal so that no one single individual continually bears the brunt of any aggression. The aquarium should be at least 3ft in length, and preferably longer, due to their active nature. The substrate should consist of fine sand in order to protect the delicate sensory barbel area, and the lighting should be subdued. Numerous hiding places must be provided for your loaches, in the form of bogwood, caves, and aquatic plants. The water should be clean and well-oxygenated, with 10-15% water changes being carried out twice a week. Like most river-dwelling botiid loaches, a decent flow rate in the aquarium will be very much appreciated. May also be seen on sale as Golden Zebra Loach.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, micropellets, algae wafers, and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia. Will eat snails.
Breeding
Has not been bred in the home aquarium.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish or invertebrates?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
