Blue Botia (Botia Modesta)

Common Name:

Blue Botia.

Other Name:

Yellow/Orange Finned Loach.

Scientific Name:

Botia Modesta.

Family:

Cypranid.

Distribution:

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Size:

Reportedly to 12 inches, but more normally 8-10 inches.

Diet:

Omnivorous; will readily take both prepared and live foods. Worms are a particular favourite. Beware,this loach has been known to eat slow-moving fish up to the size of smallish neons and will decimate eggs and/or fry.

Water Temperature:

75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 degrees Centigrade).

Water Chemistry:

Will accept pH 6.5-8.0 Prefers Soft water with pH on or below 7.0ppm (pH Neutral).

Life Span:

20 years or more.

Housing:

55gallon minimum, eventually 75gallon.

Sexing:

There is no known way to sex these loaches without cutting them open to do so.

Breeding:

Not known to breed in the aquarium.

Description:

Botia Modesta is a sturdy, rather stocky loach, while still retaining the torpedo shape we think of in the botia with an arched back and almost straight belly. It has a downward facing mouth with three pairs of barbels. The caudal peduncle is a darker color, short and thick. The body color is greenish to grey to greyish blue, darkening in front of the gills. The caudal fin is bright orange or yellow, and the other fins are paler yellow. Some unscrupulous people strip the slime coat with acid and dye the fish bright blue or purple. If the loach has a color that is blotchy or looks too good to be true - either too bright a blue or distinctly purple - it is probably dyed and should be avoided. Dyed fish are prone to all kinds of health problems, particularly diseases of the skin and fungus.

Requirements:

Botia Modesta 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 most loaches, they are sensitive to D.O.C. (dissolved organic compounds), so regular water changes are required. Modestas are shy fish, and you will see more of them if plenty of cover is provided. They live in large groups in the wild, and the company of its own kind is a must. Current - even strong current - is much appreciated.

Behaviour:

These beautiful loaches are full of character. In the right environment, they will spend their days chasing each other around, rooting enthusiastically in the substrate, or "sunning" itself on a plant or rock. In a large tank with plenty of swimming room and company, the fish really come into their own. They patrol the tank, chase each other (clicking loudly) and root in the substrate for tasty morsels. In common with clown loaches, they will occasionally sleep on their sides or in the most amazing positions. Although a modesta can live for many years as a solo or pair, it will be unhappy and aggressive. To see the true nature of your fish, a larger tank and several of the same species are necessary. They are essentially nocturnal fish, and require plenty of cover in the shape of plants, wood and rock caves. Modestas can be aggressive to other fish, especially bottom dwellers, although you may get away with a pleco in their tank. I combine them only with similarly aggressive loaches like botia morletti and with semi-aggressive fish such a blue gouramis and tiger barbs. These fish are powerful and enthusiastic diggers and rooters so don't expect to keep a planted tank with modestas. In common with other scaleless 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 scaleless fish. Avoid malachite green preparations.

Tank levels:

Bottom.

Ideal Tank Mates:

Best with semi-aggressive, larger fish with similar requirements. A favourite to combine with barbs, larger gouramis and all but the most aggressive cichlids.

Unsuitable Tankmates:

Large, aggressive fish, small or slow-moving fish or peaceful bottom dwellers such as corydoras. Also avoid flowing finned fish.