Golden Zebra Loach (Botia Histrionica) Species Profile & Care Guide
The Golden Zebra Loach is a peaceful, friendly, and extremely curious and are well suited for the community tank. They are a nightly species but will forage during the daytime if they are provided with several spots for them to hide as well as a heavy cover.
These species Have five full, sporadically shaped bars on the body that contain a small round spot at the lateral line and another on the ridge of the back. Their dorsal fins have one broken black band with some black at the base. The ventral, pectoral and anal fins each have two black bands with a black tip on each section. The fishes patterns can vary considerably depending on the geological area that they are collected.
| Quick Facts | |
| Scientific Name | Botia Histrionica |
| Other Names | Gold Zebra Loach, Asian Loach, Silver Striped Loach, Burmese Zebra Loach |
| Family | Cobitidae |
| Genus | Botia |
| Origins | India |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | up to 6 years |
| Water Conditions | |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| Temperature | 76 - 84 ℉ (24.4 - 28.9 ℃) |
| PH | 6.4 - 7.6 |
| GH | 5 - 10 |
Natural Habitat of the Golden Zebra Loach
The Golden Zebra Loach is found in the Indian state of Manipur, in the Yunnan Province in China in the upper Ayeyarwady River basin, and throughout much of Myanmar including the Sittaung, Ayeyarwady, Ataran and Salween river drainages. They are also believed to live in the streams of western Thailand.
They inhabit clear, slow-moving headwaters of streams and rivers with subtle lighting conditions found in shady forest areas. They are ordinarily found over substrates of mixed rock and sand with lots of submerged driftwood, bogwood and leaf litter cover.
Other Loaches of interest
Diet
Golden Zebra Loaches are not fussy eaters and thrive on a diet of high-quality granule or flake foods supplemented with live, freeze-dried or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex etc. They will readily accept sinking wafers and pellets as well as a mixture of fresh vegetables. They are also eager snail eaters and will quickly reduce a population from the aquarium.
Sexing the Golden Zebra Loach
It is relatively easy to differentiate the males from the females. Sexually mature females typically have a fuller body and a more rounded snout. In contrast, males have a more elongated nose with recognizably fleshier lips.
Breeding the Golden Zebra Loach
Unfortunately, there are no recorded cases of the Golden Zebra Loach being bred in the home aquarium although, some people have found that cooler water changes have inaugurated courtship displays.
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