Zebra Loach

Zebra loach, indigenous to the Western Ghats region of India, is a small-sized freshwater loach.  Their striped appearance gives them their name. It has been declared as endangered by the IUCN in the wild. The reasons behind this a limited range as well as an alteration in their habitat.  Popular among fish hobbyists, they were introduced to the world of aquarium trade in 1952. Aquarists desiring to attain this species should first identify the source of the fish available locally and only go for the captive-bred varieties.

Quick Information

Scientific Name	Botia striata
Other Names	Lined loach, candystripe loach, striped loach, crossbanded loach, thinline loach, tiger loach, zebra botia
Origin	Tungabhadra river area in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India
Type	Freshwater fish
Conservation Status	Endangered (by the IUCN)
Behavioral Characteristics	Peaceful  and lively, fit for a community tank;
School Size	4 – 5
Physical Traits	Stocky body; arched back;  flat, straight belly; red nose when young fading with maturity; deeply cleft caudal fin; and thick caudal peduncle
Colors	Brown body with vertical stripes of yellow; brown bands and dots on the fins
Size (How big do they get)	Small; 3.5 inches (9 cm)
Lifespan	5 – 8 years
Sexual Dimorphism	Present; Male: Large and lean; Female: Smaller with a fuller abdomen
Probable Diseases	Ich
Approximate Price (How much is it for)	$8 – 10

Tank Setup & Care Sheet Details

Care Level	Beginner
Tank Size	30 – 40 gallons (113.5 –  151.4 liters) for a group of 5

Water Parameters

pH Level	6.0 – 7.5
Temperature	70 – 79 °F (21 – 26°C)
Hardness	3– 10 dGH
Aquarium  Water Flow	Moderate to strong

Tank Ambience

Lighting	Subdued
Substrate Type	Pebbles, smooth gravel, sand, alongside caves, roots, and rocks for them to hide, keeping their shy nature in mind
Tank Mates	Compatible with:  Bettas, guppies, clown loach, and tinfoil barb Incompatible with:  Small corydoras (as the zebra loach could display aggression towards them since they too are bottom feeders); may eat shrimp species like the cherry shrimp as well as snails
Suitable Position in the Tank	Bottom

Feeding

Diet	Live foods such as glass worms, bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and tubifex; fresh fruits and vegetables; as well as pellets, flakes and also algae wafers (since they eat algae)
Frequency	2 times a day

Important Things to Know For Fish Keepers

• They are known for their jumping skills, thus needing an aquarium with a lid.
• Just like the clown loach, the zebra loach also sometimes tends to play dead by lying to their side motionless and still. If you find your fish remaining that way for a long time, unaware of its surroundings, consider inspecting it.
• If you find that your zebra loach has disappeared suddenly, first look for them around or behind your tank, since they are efficient jumpers as mentioned above. They can even be hiding under the driftwood, rocks, or crevices if you have them as substrates for your tank.
• A sudden change in your zebra loaches color might be due to alteration in water parameters. Conduct a partial water change and also check for other symptoms like restlessness, or loss of appetite as that may require medical intervention.

FAQs