How big do Botia loaches get?
Social behavior: MUST be kept in schools of 6-8+ specimens. This species exhibits complex schooling behavior and will often become withdrawn or aggressive when kept by solitary or in smaller groups. Origin: Myanmar, India. Average adult size: 4.3 – 5.1 inches (11 – 13 cm)
How many zebra loaches should be kept together?
5
The recommended tank size for Zebra Loaches is at least 30 gallons. While you might think that seems a bit large for a relatively small fish, there’s a good reason for this. These fish need to be kept in a group of at least 5 in order to thrive and stay peaceful among each other.
Do zebra loaches eat plants?
In nature these loaches are mainly carnivorous, but will consume plant matter if available. The Zebra Loach is a smaller loach that can reach from 3 – 4 inches (7.8 – 10 cm), though often a bit smaller in the aquarium..
How long do botia loaches live?
The Redtail Botia is a rather stocky loach that can reach almost 10″ (25 cm) in nature, though often a bit smaller in the aquarium at about 7 – 8″ (17 – 20 cm). Their life span is generally about 5 – 12 years. Its coloring is quite variable ranging from a bluish to grayish body, sometimes with a slight green tint.
Are loaches aggressive?
Loaches are semi-aggressive fish when housed in the aquarium individually, so it is important to maintain each species in groups of six or more to minimize aggression. Loaches are active bottom dwelling scavengers ideally suited for the community aquarium.
What fish are compatible with loaches?
Best Tank Mates for Clown Loaches
- Other Clown Loaches. It is absolutely essential to keep clown loaches in a group.
- Discus. Discus are large South American cichlids that are pretty much the jewels of the aquarium world.
- Rainbowfish.
- Barbs.
- Severums.
- Gouramis.
- Tetras.
- Plecos.
Will a zebra loach eat shrimp?
Zebra loaches are omnivores. They will eat sinking catfish pellets as well as tablets and flake foods. Supplement their diet with live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, and mosquito larvae.
Do loaches like to be in pairs?
Keeping Kuhli Loaches Together These fish are at their best when kept together in a group of 6. If kept alone, they will be very shy and will hide most of the time.
What do blue botia eat?
Feed mosquito larvae and brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers. They will also eat snails, so are good for snail control. The most important thing for these loaches is that they always have clean and well-oxygenated water.
Is the Botia striata the same as the clown loach?
It is a great shame that many stores do not stock Botia striata as a ‘standard’ species, instead of its much larger cousin the clown loach. Its relatively small size and peaceful nature make it an excellent choice for most community settings.
Where does the Botia striata live in India?
The latter flows eastwards from Maharashtra state in the west of the country through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. B. striata has been recorded at other localities within the Krishna drainage, including the Koyna and Panchganga rivers in Maharashtra.
How often do you change water for Botia striata?
Botia striata need dim lighting that mimics the fish’s natural environment. These bottom-dwellers need well-oxygenated, clean water to be happy and thrive. In addition to a very efficient filter unit, you must perform partial water changes each week of around 30%.
Is the family botia a subfamily of the Cobitidae?
The family Botiidae has been widely considered a genetically distinct grouping since Nalbant (2002), having previously been considered a subfamily (Botiinae) of the family Cobitidae. Nalbant also moved some previous members of Botia into the new genus Yasuhikotakia based on a number of morphological characters.