Zebra loach (Botia Striata)

Common Name:

Zebra loach.

Scientific Name:

Botia Striata.

Family:

Cypranid.

Distribution:

Southern India.

Size:

Adult size 3-4 inches.

Diet:

Omniverous; will readily take both prepared and live foods. Worms are a particular favorite.

Water Temperature:

75-78 degrees Fahrenheit (24-26 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:

15 years or more.

Housing:

20 gallon minimum.

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 Striata 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. The mouth is sometimes ringed with red, giving it a comical appearance of wearing lipstick. 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.

Requirements:

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.

Behaviour:

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.

Tank levels:

Bottom.

Ideal Tank Mates:

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.

Unsuitable Tankmates:

Aggressive, territorial fish.

Photo Credit:

Photos supplied courtesy and ^©Loachaholic & Jeff Dietsch.