Description
Zebra Loach (Botia striata)
Overview
Botia striata, commonly known as the zebra loach, is a small, peaceful freshwater fish from the Botiidae family, endemic to the Krishna River basin in southern India, including the Tunga, Koyna, and Panchganga rivers. Named for its striking vertical black stripes on a yellowish body, it grows to 8–10 cm. Males are slimmer, while females are plumper when mature. Endangered in the wild due to deforestation and siltation, most aquarium specimens are commercially bred, often with hormones. Their playful, social nature and snail-eating habits make them a great addition to community tanks, though they require pristine water due to their scaleless bodies.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 113L for a group of 5–8; 210L or larger preferred for optimal shoaling. Base dimensions of at least 90 cm length recommended.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 73–79°F (23–26°C); avoid exceeding 84°F (29°C) for long periods.
- pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Hardness: 5–12 dGH (soft to moderately hard).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <50 ppm (ideally <20 ppm to prevent stress).
- Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect delicate barbels; avoid sharp substrates like quartz.
- Décor: Provide caves, smooth rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants (e.g., Anubias, Java fern) for hiding. Floating plants create shade. Ensure open swimming space.
- Filtration: Strong flow (10–20x tank volume/hour) with high oxygenation to mimic mountain streams; use canister or hang-on-back filters.
- Lighting: Subdued; floating plants or dim lighting emulate forest streams.
- Other: Secure lid essential, as they may jump. Use caution when netting due to subocular spines, which can tangle or injure.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20–30% weekly or 30–50% biweekly with dechlorinated water (using anti-chlorine agents) to maintain pristine conditions.
- 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 spikes, which can trigger diseases like ich or skinny disease.
- Equipment Check: Ensure filters provide strong flow and oxygenation, heaters maintain stable temperatures, and lid is secure.
Diet
- Type: Omnivorous with a carnivorous preference; feeds on invertebrates, worms, and plant matter in the wild.
- Foods:
- Live/Frozen: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex (use sparingly), mosquito larvae.
- 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 a reliable pest control solution.
- Feeding: Small portions 2–3 times daily, ensuring food reaches the bottom where they forage. Remove uneaten food to prevent water fouling.
- Notes: Varied diet enhances colouration and health. They are bold feeders, often rising to midwater during meals.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful but active; may nip fins of slow-moving fish if understimulated or in small groups.
- Social Behaviour: Highly gregarious; requires groups of 5–8 or more to thrive and display Behaviours like clicking sounds or “loachy dance” (group swimming). Solitary or small groups (<4) become shy, nocturnal, or aggressive.
- Compatible Tankmates:
- Peaceful, active fish: Danios, rasboras, tinfoil barbs, pentazona barbs.
- Bottom-dwellers: Other Botia species, clown loaches (in large tanks), Epalzeorhynchos, Crossocheilus, Garra, Otocinclus.
- Incompatible: Slow-moving or long-finned fish (e.g., bettas, angelfish, guppies), small bottom-dwellers (e.g., Corydoras) due to competition, or overly timid fish stressed by their activity.
- Notes: Ample hiding spots and group housing reduce stress. More diurnal than other loaches but still prefer subdued lighting.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Type: Egg layers; seasonal spawners in the wild, but successful home aquarium breeding is undocumented.
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.
