Acanthocobitis botia
| Common Names: | Mottled Loach Sand Loach Spot Loach Striped Loach Zipper Loach |
| Synonyms: | Botia nebulosa Cobitis botia Nemacheilus botia Nemacheilus botia botia Nemachilus botia Nemachilus botius Nemachilus mackenziei Noemacheilus botia |
| Family: | Balitoridae |
| Category: | Catfish_Bottom_Feeders |
| Distribution: | Asia; China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand. |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; River |
| Temperament: | Peaceful; Peaceful and active fish which are a great addition to any community tank 20 gallons or more. |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Ominvore |
| Care: | Mainly bottom feeders which will appreciate a varied diet of sinking algae wafers, sinking shrimp pellets, blood worms, tubifex worms, etc. Will eat most commercial foods that are offered and will even with time eat from the top of the tank and the middle even though it highly prefers to bottom feed. These loaches should be kept in tanks no less than 20 gallons. They appreciate planty of places to hide but once they have them and feel secure in the tank (almost immediately) they will be out and about. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 11cm (4.3") Female: 11cm (4.3") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; Bottom |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | Unknown. |
| Breeding: | Breeding can be accomplished by experienced aquarists. Known triggers are large water changes and minor pH changes. They lay the eggs in a hidden spot and leave them. Parents may eat the eggs, and will not guard them; so the eggs or parents should be removed. |
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| Comments: | Their tank would do well to have a powerhead as they prefer currents. A sandy or smaller gravel bottom is better as they dig constantly. Caves, rocky outcroppings, and plants are favorite hiding places. This loach has a very distinctive eye spot which does not go away with age. This is the number one way to determine if you have a true zipper loach or if you have Botia striata. The two are very commonly mis-labeled as each other. |
| Main Colours: | Silver, Black |
| Markings: | Mottled |
| Mouth: | Downturned |
| Tail: | Concave |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | ;Koi Keeper |
| Submitted By: | koi keeper |
| Contributors: | gnr4ever8794, Doedogg |
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