Zebra loach

Water parameters

Tolerated range for this species. Aim for the middle of each band rather than the extremes.

Tank and habitat

Substrate: sand.

Behavior

Plant interaction: plant safe.

Feeding

Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, frozen brine shrimp, frozen daphnia, live blackworms, and blanched vegetables. They forage actively on the substrate and in rock crevices, poking into every gap. Small snails are eaten when found. Feed once or twice daily with sinking food. They're active during the day, unlike some loach species, which makes feeding simple. Not picky about food type.

Nocturnal feeder; drop food after lights out.

Compatibility

• Peaceful and active loach that fits into community tanks with medium-sized, non-aggressive species. Less boisterous than yoyo loaches and less territorial than most Botia species.
• Groups of 5+ are recommended. Like all loaches, they're social and show more natural behavior in groups. Single specimens hide excessively.
• Good with barbs, tetras, rainbowfish, corydoras, and other loaches. Avoid pairing with very small nano fish that might be stressed by the loach's active foraging.
• Eats small snails. Useful for controlling pest snail populations. Will also eat ornamental snails, so don't keep with nerites or mystery snails you want to preserve.

Origin and habitat

Endemic to a small area within the rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in India; the recorded range is the Western Ghats and Maharashtra. Found in clear mountain streams with sandy or rocky substrates and moderate to fast current. Described by Indian zoologist C.R. Narayan Rao in 1920. A member of the family Botiidae. Listed as IUCN Endangered (EN) due to its restricted range and habitat threats including dam construction and pollution. The body has a pattern of narrow vertical dark bars on a pale background; the bars can break up to varying degrees in a process called anastomosis, making patterning highly variable between individuals. Distinctive red mouthparts help identify the species within the genus. The recorded maximum is 7.8 cm standard length; other sources give up to about 9 cm total length. One of the smaller Botia species and suitable for medium community aquariums. A gregarious bottom dweller that should be kept in groups of at least 5-6; effective natural snail control in planted aquariums. The species is also a source of food and income to the Katkari people in its native range. Both wild-caught and commercially bred specimens circulate in the trade.

Breeding

Rarely bred in home aquariums. Like most Botia loaches, the species likely requires seasonal environmental triggers that are difficult to replicate in captivity. Commercial breeding uses hormone injection in controlled facilities. Sexing is unreliable based on external features. A few reports describe spontaneous spawning in large, well-established tanks with a seasonal temperature cycle, but these are isolated and not consistently reproducible. Every zebra loach in the general trade is either wild-caught or farm-bred using hormones.

Common problems

Ich is the most common disease issue, usually in newly purchased fish. Treat with temperature elevation (30°C for 10 days) rather than chemical medication; loaches are sensitive to standard ich treatments. Skinny disease (internal parasites) occurs in wild-caught and poorly maintained farm-bred stock; treat with levamisole. Shyness in small groups resolves with more individuals. The species is otherwise hardy and long-lived (8-12 years) in stable, clean conditions. Avoid sharp or abrasive substrate; they rest on the bottom and forage by rooting through it. Sand or smooth gravel is preferred.

Bioload

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Stocking ideas by tank size