Care
The Sumo Loach is known from clear, well-oxygenated, shallow, fast-flowing waters of headwaters, tributaries, and high-gradient streams. Here there is usually a forest canopy overhead, and a substrate of sand, smooth gravel, and water-worn rocks and boulders. Aquatic plants do not usually feature in these habitats, although in some areas there may be a little marginal vegetation. These delicately-coloured torpedo shaped loaches are members of a group of bottom dwellers referred to as Brook Loaches, and they occupy a similar, but not quite so harsh niche to that of the balitorids (Hillstream Loaches). Nemacheilidae is a huge and diverse family, currently containing over 450 species and is comprised of many popular genera including Aborichthys, Acanthocobitis, Mesonoemacheilus, Nemacheilus, Schistura, and Yunnanilus. A requisite for their care is highly oxygenated water with plenty of current, and tight fitting coverslides are a must. The Sumo Loach is highly territorial and must be kept in spacious aquaria with plenty of "˜visual barriers"™ amongst the décor. Their antagonistic behaviour is not so much of an issue in the wild, where fish can easily move from one territory to another, but it can certainly present problems within the confines of the aquarium. Provide a sandy substrate along with plenty of nooks and crannies formed from pebbles, rocks, pieces of slate, and tangles of driftwood - ensuring that lines of sight are broken up. As mentioned above, plants are not found in any great abundance in the fast-flowing waters of the natural habitat of the Sumo Loach, so are not considered essential; however, robust species such as Anubias and Microsorum tied onto driftwood will help with water quality and will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing, as well as creating more hiding places. The best way to keep these loaches is either singly, as a known compatible pair, or in dense groups (10+). Keeping just 3 or 4 can result in carnage with specimens being lost. Sumo Loaches do not usually show aggression towards other current-loving fish, providing that they are not other nemacheilids. Nonetheless, small placid tankmates are best avoided, as are species with long fins. Good companions could include some of the smaller Barbs, Barilius/Opsarius, temperate Bitterlings, Crossocheilus, Danios, Devarios or Garras, and shoals of these will act as 'dither fish', encouraging the loaches out into the open. Like other species that inhabit fresh running waters, these loaches will not tolerate a build-up of nitrates within the aquarium and require excellent water conditions at all times if they are to thrive - so powerful filtration and regular partial water changes are essential. Imports of this species are sporadic, with shipments of the closely related and much more colourful Tri-Band Sumo Loach (Schistura cf. balteata) becoming increasingly popular since late 2006. The true Sumo Loach (S. balteata) is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: unique colour pattern consisting of 2-3 dark vertical bars below the dorsal fin, 3-5 pairs of round spots in front of the dorsal fin along the back, and an absence of a black basal caudal mark. The Tri-Band Sumo Loach (S. cf. balteata) on the other hand, has orange, pink, or yellow vertical bars (that don't always directly correspond with the colour of the posterior half of the body), and a black basal caudal mark that extends the full caudal fin base.
Feeding
Small frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, and daphnia. Will also take sinking catfish pellets/tablets/granules.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium, although courtship behaviour has been observed.
