Nichols' Stone Loach (Schistura nicholsi)
| Nichols' Stone Loach Schistura nicholsi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Nichols' Stone Loach |
| Name Lat. | Schistura nicholsi |
| Family | Stone Loaches |
| Family lat. | Nemacheilidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Laos, Thailand |
| Habitat | Mountain streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8 cm |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C |
| Hardness | 2-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3" |
| Temperature | 68-79 °F |
| Hardness | 36-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the Nichols Brook Loach is tributaries of the Mekong River in Laos and Thailand. They live in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich mountain streams and river headwaters, among rocks, boulders and round river pebbles. They prefer shallow places shaded by trees.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have robust planting, a substrate of sand and round-grained gravel, and large rounded stones and roots (hiding places). They need oxygen-rich water and a strong current.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They feed mainly on insects, small crustaceans and microplankton. The food supply consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, bosmids, artemia and red mosquito larvae, which are also eaten in frozen form, supplemented with commercially available frozen special food mixtures as well as high-quality sinking dry food (granules, pellets, flakes, tablets), which is usually well accepted. They also need some vegetable food, such as algae (seaweed leaves) or dry food with high vegetable content (e.g. kelp, spirulina).
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively fish and intra-species territorial. Multiple animals should only be kept in a larger, richly structured tank. A socialization with other lively fish is well possible
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The females are larger and more plump than the males.
Reproduction and breeding
There are only a few reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
Loaches of the genus Schistura, more than 50 species, are difficult to distinguish from each other because they are very similar in coloration and pattern
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF