Yasuhikotakia lecontei
| Common Names: | Yellow-Finned Loach |
| Synonyms: | Botia lecontei |
| Family: | Cobitidae |
| Category: | Catfish_Bottom_Feeders |
| Distribution: | Asia; Rivers in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; Relatively fast-flowing rivers. |
| Temperament: | Reclusive; Like its close relative, the Orange-Finned Loach, this species tends to be shy and somewhat territorial. Individuals will claim a hiding place and defend it against intruders. This loach can be kept with members of its own species - some quarrels are normal, but most interactions are peaceful and they may even share hiding places with one another. |
| Diet: | Carnivore; In the wild, this species feeds almost exclusively on small invertebrates and therefore small live and frozen foods are relished. It will also usually accept processed foods such as flakes, wafers, and sinking pellets. |
| Care: | Ideally, this loach should be kept in a large aquarium decorated with numerous rocks and driftwood. Hiding places made from caves, flower pots, crevices in rocks or driftwood, or other ornaments are needed. A moderately heavy current is appreciated. Any plants will need to be well-rooted or have their ba |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 15cm (5.9") Female: 15cm (5.9") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; This loach spends nearly all of its time in the bottom levels of the tank. |
| Activity: | NonSpecific; In the wild, this species is mainly crepuscular or nocturnal. In captivity, however, it can be coaxed out into the light with food. |
| Gender: | No gender differences are known. |
| Breeding: | This loach has not been bred in captivity. |
| Variants: | Young specimens (those under 6cm in length) will have vertical stripes on their bodies and fins. Color differences between individual fish are notable in this species - the fins of adults may be yellow, orange, or even gray. |
| Comments: | This species is distinguished from the Orange-Finned Loach by its blue-gray dorsal fin (instead of an orange one). It is not commonly imported into the hobby, and is more often seen merely as a contaminant in shipments of Orange-Finned Loaches. Consequently, it is possible that this species may turn up in shipments of artificially dyed "Blueberry" or "Strawberry" Loaches, where it will exhibit unnatural blue or magenta coloration, respectively. |
| Main Colours: | Grey, Blue, Orange |
| Markings: | No Markings |
| Mouth: | Downturned |
| Tail: | Forked |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | Natalie |
| Submitted By: | Natalie |
| Contributors: | Natalie, clownloachfan |
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