Description
Golden Zebra Loach (Botia histrionica)
Overview
Botia histrionica, commonly known as the golden zebra loach or Burmese loach, is a vibrant freshwater fish from the Botiidae family, native to clear, slow-flowing mountain streams of Myanmar (Ayeyarwady, Sittaung, Salween, and Ataran river basins), India (Manipur), and Yunnan, China. Characterized by a golden-yellow body with 5–6 broad black vertical bars, it grows to 10–13 cm in captivity. Their active, social nature and striking colouration make them a favorite among aquarists, though their gregarious needs require group housing. Most specimens are commercially bred, sometimes with hormones, due to their rarity in the wild.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 130L for a group of 6–9; 284L or larger preferred for optimal activity and social Behaviour. Base dimensions of at least 90 cm length recommended.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 25–29°C; avoid exceeding 32°C for prolonged periods.
- pH: 6.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <50 ppm (ideally <30 ppm to prevent stress).
- Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect delicate barbels; avoid sharp substrates.
- Décor: Provide caves, driftwood, smooth rocks, and hardy plants (e.g., Anubias, Java fern) for hiding and exploration. Ensure open swimming areas to accommodate their active nature.
- Filtration: Moderate to strong flow (10–20x tank volume/hour) with high oxygenation to mimic stream habitats; use canister or hang-on-back filters.
- Lighting: Subdued; use floating plants (e.g., water sprite) to create shaded areas.
- Other: Secure lid essential, as they are prone to jumping. Use caution when netting due to subocular spines, which can tangle or cause injury.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20–30% weekly or 25% biweekly with dechlorinated water (using anti-chlorine agents) to maintain water quality and prevent nitrate buildup.
- Tank Cleaning: Siphon uneaten food and debris; lightly vacuum substrate to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Testing: Weekly monitoring of pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate using a reliable test kit to prevent parameter spikes, which can trigger diseases like ich.
- Equipment Check: Ensure filters provide adequate flow and oxygenation, heaters maintain stable temperatures, and lid is secure to prevent escapes.
Diet
- Type: Omnivorous with a carnivorous preference; feeds on invertebrates, snails, and plant matter in the wild.
- Foods:
- Live/Frozen: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex (use sparingly), cyclops, artemia.
- Dry: High-quality sinking pellets, granules, or flakes (e.g., Fluval Bug Bites, Hikari Sinking Wafers).
- Occasional: Blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini, cucumber, spinach) or fruits (e.g., melon).
- Snails: Will eat small snails but not reliable for pest control.
- Feeding: Small portions 2–3 times daily, ensuring food reaches the bottom where they forage. Avoid overfeeding to prevent water pollution.
- Notes: Varied diet enhances colouration and health. They are bold feeders, often rising to midwater during meals.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful but active and semi-aggressive if kept alone or in small groups; may nip fins of slow-moving fish.
- Social Behaviour: Highly gregarious; requires groups of 6–9 or more to thrive and display natural Behaviours like “graying out” during dominance disputes or clicking sounds. Solitary or small groups become stressed, shy, or aggressive.
- Compatible Tankmates:
- Peaceful, active fish: Rasboras, danios, neon tetras, livebearers, larger barbs (e.g., Barilius, Barbonymus in larger tanks).
- Bottom-dwellers: Other Botia species, Chromobotia macracanthus (in large tanks), some cobitids, nemacheilids, or catfishes (e.g., Corydoras).
- Incompatible: Slow-moving or long-finned fish (e.g., bettas, guppies, angelfish) due to potential fin-nipping; overly passive fish may be stressed by their activity. Avoid mixing with similar-looking loaches (e.g., B. kubotai) in small tanks to prevent competition.
- Notes: Ample hiding spots and group housing reduce stress and aggression. They are nocturnal but active during the day with sufficient cover.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Type: Egg layers; seasonal spawners in the wild during the rainy season in fast-flowing streams.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
