Zebra Loach

 A stocky, fish with an arched back and a flat belly profile. The caudal fin is deeply cleft and the caudal penuncle is thick. The body is brown with numerous vertical yellow stripes which alternate in thickness. The fins are marked with brown bands. This fish grows to sizes of 2.7" (8 cm) in aquaria, although up to 4" (10 cm) in nature. This fish inhabits still and slow moving waters in southern India and is a bottom dweller in the tank.
A 10-20 gallon (38-76 L) tank is sufficient for this small species.
Water parameters for this fish are as follows: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 3-15 dH (7), and water temperature should be 73-81°F (23-27°C).
This is an active, but peaceful species that prefers to be kept in small groups of five to eight fish. A nocturnal species that become diurnal after acclimation. This species will thrive on foods such as worms, insect larvae, crustaceans; tablets; plant matter.
Sexing is unknown at this time. No recorded spawnings in an aquarium.
This species can make audible clicking sounds.


Dwarf Loach

An elongated Loach with a forked caudal fin. The back is light brown while the flanks are copper colored. The flanks are marked two lateral brown bands. One runs from the snout, and near the ridge of the back, while the other runs laterally through the eye and along the mid-section. These bands are connected by a number of transverse stripes which run from the apex of the back, to the second band. The belly is silver and the fins are colorless. This fish will grow to 2.4" (6 cm) and inhabits muddy, still and slow moving bodies of water in Southeast Asia; India and Thailand. Like most loaches they prefer the bottom of the tank.

A tank with a capacity from 10-20 gallons (38-76 L) is suggested.
Water parameters are pH 6.2-7.7 (7.4), 1-15 dH (4), with temperatures of 77-86°F (25-30°C).
This is an active schooling species which is suitable for most community tanks. This peaceful species is day active. Only keep in groups of five or more, as single specimen do poorly. Other tankmates are Barbs, Danios, Rasboras, Gouramis, tetras, Hatchetfish, Loricarids, Corydoras, Rainbowfish, Livebearers.
Their diets consist of live; worms, insect larvae, aquatic insects, crustaceans; flakes and algae wafers.
Sex is only distinguishable when the female is preparing to spawn and is noticeably rounder than the male. Spawnings have occured accidentally on a couple of occasions. Details are not available though. During courtship, this species is said to undergo a color change.



Clown Loach

Moderately elongated and laterally compressed, the Clown Loach has an arched back. It has a straight body profile, a large head, and a mouth that faces downward. Four pairs of barbels surround its mouth. The Clown Loach has a small spine by its eyes, that often gets entangled in net mesh. The body coloration is orange, but paler at times when weak or frightened. Three broad, transverse black bands. The first, runs through the eye; the second starts in front of the dorsal fin and runs down to the belly; the third begins on the dorsal fin and extends to the anal fin. The caudal, pectoral, and anal fins are all red in color.
This fish grows to 12" (30 cm) in captivity and prefers the bottom and middle of the tank.
It inhabits both flowing and still parts of rivers and lakes in Southeast Asia; particullary Sumatra, Borneo, and Indonesia.
A 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is sufficient for small fish. When these fish reach 5" (13 cm), they should be moved to a considerably larger tank. Provide numerous hiding places with caves, driftwood, and roots. A fine gravel bottom is needed for this fish burrows. The tank should be well-planted and have muted lighting.
Water parameters are pH 5-7.5 (7.0); 5-15 dH (8); with temperatures of 75-86°F (24-30°C).
A good community fish to combine with medium to large sized species. The Clown Loach should be kept in schools of five or more fish as smaller groups do poorly. Clown Loaches are nocturnal and shy when first introduced, but soon become friendly towards their owner.
Recommended tankmates include Cichlasomines , Trichogaster, Barbus, Loricarids. They thrive on diets of tablets; live; worms, snails, crustaceans, insect larvae; occasionally algae.
When sexing, the female is larger and has a thinner tail. Mature males have a more arched back and a wider tail spread.
These fish are not bred in captivity; most likely because they have probably never reached sexual maturity in an aquarium. In nature, the Clown Loach spawns during the rainy season in foaming, fast-flowing streams, spring fed creeks, and rivers. The fry move down to slower moving and estuaries of the same rivers, to grow up. Rumors of spawnings in captivity have not been proven. In Southeast Asian fish farms, some have claimed success by using hormone injections.
This fish makes clicking noises when frightened or trying to scare off other fish. The Clown Loach is sensitive to chemicals in the water and some medications. The Clown Loach is eaten in the countries where they come from and are said to taste good. This species grows very slowly. The Clown Loach's colors may fade when frightened, acclimating to a new tank, or ill. Its colors naturally fade with age.
Do not keep the Clown Loach in small tanks.



Banded Loach, Tiger Loach, Barred Loach

An elongated, flat-bellied fish with an arched back. The head is long and pointed, and the caudal fin is forked. The back is olive green to brown and the flanks are mossy green to brown. The flanks are marked with 11-12 yellow, transverse stripes. These run from the apex of the back to the lower parts. Beyond the end of these stripes are irregular brown spots. The belly is whitish. The fins except for the caudal, which is striped, are colorless.
This fish will grow to 8" (20 cm). It’s natural habitat is widespread in streams and rivers in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia in Southeast Asia. They are bottom dwellers in the tank.
A tank with a capacity from 35-45 gallons (123-170 L) is sufficient for smaller fish. Adult fish require a tank with a volume from 50-55 gallons (190-209 L). The tank should be well-planted with anchored plants, and leave open swimming areas. Provide a retreat for each fish using rocks, roots, wood, tubes, or an over-turned flower pot. Use a fine gravel substrate. Water parameters should be pH 6-7.5 (6.9), 4-15 dH (10), with a temperature of 75-86°F (24-30°C).
This fish is a territorial and aggressive species which preys upon small fish. This Loach should be kept in groups in a large tank with plenty of refuges. The crepuscular species is timid during acclimation. Territories are defended aggressively. Combine with robust species that are equal or larger in size. Recommended tankmates include Cichlasomines, Chitala ornata, Barbus schwanenfeldi, Trichogaster, large Danios, Silver Dollars, Headstanders, Scleropages.
These fish thrive on foods such as small fish, worms, insect larvae, crustaceans; tablets; plant matter. A voracious bottom feeder.
It is unknown how to sex this fish. Breeding has never been accomplished in captivity. At feeding times, this Loach makes clicking sounds. This fish is not suitable for the community tank because of it’s aggressive behavior.

*This article was written by Cichlid Lover from our forum and may not be copied or reproduced without written permission from her.


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