Zebra Loach (Botia Striata) - Live Fish

DESCRIPTION OF ITEM:

The Zebra Loach (Botia striata) is a species of freshwater fish that is native to the rivers and streams of India and Bangladesh. It is a popular aquarium fish known for its unique and striking appearance, as well as its active and playful behavior.

Appearance

• The Zebra Loach has a distinctive pattern of black and gold or yellowish stripes, similar to the pattern of a zebra, which is where it gets its common name.
• The body is elongated, and they have a slender shape that can grow to about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length.
• Their eyes are large and slightly protruding, and they have barbels near the mouth, which they use to detect food in the substrate.

Habitat

• The Zebra Loach is typically found in slow-moving rivers and streams with rocky and sandy bottoms, where they can hide among the rocks and debris.
• In the wild, they are often found in clean, well-oxygenated water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.5) and moderate to warm temperatures (75–86°F or 24–30°C).

Behavior

• Active and playful: Zebra Loaches are social and active fish. They enjoy exploring the tank, especially if there are plenty of hiding spots like rocks, caves, or dense plants.
• They are known to school together, so it’s recommended to keep them in groups of at least 3-5 individuals. This helps reduce stress and allows them to display their natural behaviors.
• Bottom-dwelling: Zebra Loaches spend most of their time near the bottom of the tank, often sifting through the substrate looking for food. They are also known to be night-active, meaning they can be more visible during the evening or night.

Diet

• Zebra Loaches are omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of foods, including small invertebrates, detritus, and plant material. In an aquarium, they will happily accept pellets, flakes, and live or frozen food such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
• Their diet should be varied to ensure they receive the proper nutrients. They also enjoy scavenging through the substrate for food.

Care in Aquariums

• Tank Setup: These fish require a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places, like caves, rocks, and driftwood. A soft, sandy substrate is ideal because it allows them to forage naturally. They are bottom dwellers, so providing a clean and well-maintained substrate is important.
• Water Conditions: Zebra Loaches thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7.5) and a temperature range of 75-86°F (24-30°C). A well-maintained filtration system is important to keep the water quality high.
• Tankmates: Zebra Loaches are generally peaceful and can coexist with other peaceful species like tetras, barbs, and other loaches. Avoid aggressive fish, as Zebra Loaches are somewhat shy and may not do well with fin-nippers.

Breeding

• Breeding Zebra Loaches in captivity is rare but possible. There are no distinct external differences between males and females, so breeding often occurs unexpectedly in the right conditions. They tend to be egg scatterers, and after spawning, the eggs will hatch in about 2-3 days.

Summary

The Zebra Loach is a beautiful and active addition to a community tank. Its lively nature, unique pattern, and bottom-dwelling habits make it an excellent choice for aquarists who can provide it with the proper care and environment. A well-maintained aquarium with a good variety of tankmates will allow the Zebra Loach to thrive and be an entertaining addition to any freshwater setup.