Soft leaved plants are in the most danger. Zebra Loaches do enjoy nibbling on aquatic plants sometimes. But the splash zone from your filter’s outflow can increase aeration, which is important. Any colder or warmer can be stressful for them.Ī Zebra Loach does not need strong currents so don’t worry about powerheads or wave makers. The water temperature range should also be moderate 73-79☏ suits them well. Since tap water tends to be alkaline, a few Indian Almond leaves or pieces of driftwood can help bring the water chemistry towards acidity. Avoid extremes in either direction and you will be fine. These freshwater fish prefer somewhat acidic to alkaline conditions (pH 6.5 to 7.5). Water parameters for a Striped Loach are not difficult to achieve. A Zebra Loach spends just as much time above the sand and they will appear when they smell food in the water. A sand layer 2 inches deep is enough for your Zebra Loach to bury itself.īut don’t worry these are an active species and won’t disappear forever into the sand. Sand is much better for Zebra Loaches and better replicates the silt and mud filled streams these freshwater fish prefer. And when they do the large gravel grains will scratch their skin, leaving wounds for bacteria to infect. My Aquarium ClubĪ Zebra Loach botia will try burrowing into it. Gravel is not the best choice for bottom dwelling species with no scales and soft whiskers. One important consideration is the substrate you choose. You will need to think a little about the layout when setting up a Zebra Loach aquarium. A small home aquarium would leave a Zebra Loach feeling far too cramped for comfort. They don’t sit around much and spend a lot of time burrowing and chasing one another. While they are bottom dwelling fish, Zebra Loaches are active fish. But if you want to keep more then you should invest in a larger tank size. A 20 gallon long or high is enough for a trio of Zebra Loaches. So it can live in a smaller tank setup than its relatives.

Natural Habitat: Western Ghats mountain range, Southern IndiaĪt about four inches, the Silver Striped Loach is smaller than other botia species.

Common Names: Zebra Loach, Candystripe Loach, Striped Loach, Tiger Loach, Golden Zebra Loach.

In this way, wild stocks remain intact and aquarium hobbyists get to enjoy the antics of these active freshwater fish. But nowadays almost all Zebra Loaches are captive bred in aquarium fish farms. India’s rapid development is causing changes to the small habitat where the Zebra Loach Botia lives.Īs a result, the Zebra Loach is now on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (ICUN) list of endangered species. Zebra Loaches are found just in the Western Ghats of India within slow moving streams. They are much more manageable to keep, not needing tanks quite so large. While Clown Loaches grow over a foot long, Zebra Loaches remain small. The Zebra Loach is related to the Blue Botia fish and the Clown Loach, two bottom dwelling fish that are easy to find in stores.

So how can we care for these fun little pets? What is the Zebra Loach? They even wink in a charming fashion while at rest, waiting for food to arrive.įew fish that live on the bottom are as enjoyable to watch as a group of Zebra Loach botia. The bold stripes along the fish’s body seem to blur as they race along the bottom. We guarantee it! We care for the fish in our care as if they were our own and will never ship a fish or any other creature if unsafe for the animal.The Zebra Loach is a species of aquarium fish that catches your attention right away. We deliver an incredible aquatic experience and selection delivered right to your door with quick delivery using insulated & heated packaging to ensure safe arrival of your new pets. Aquarium Fish Depot is proud to offer a Live Arrival Guarantee. * All states excluding Hawaii, Alaska, Alabama, and Kansasįor more information on our shipping options refer to our shipping info page for more details. Please let us know if you have any questions before deciding to purchase by emailing us at here to connect with us on social! Shop our online aquarium store and get new aquatic pets delivered right to your door with shipping to nearly all U.S. Explore a vast selection of beautiful, unique and rare fish and other aquatic life. Our shop is filled with over 750 aquariums and houses one of the largest collections of aquatic creatures including saltwater and freshwater fish, shrimp, invertebrates, mollusks, corals, anemones, and more. Kept and cared for at our massive aquarium store in San Diego, California.

Zebra loach