Spotback Loach (Schistura notostigma)

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Spotback Loach
Schistura notostigma
Spotback Loach (Schistura notostigma)
Name Spotback Loach
Name Lat. Schistura notostigma
Family Stone Loaches
Family lat. Nemacheilidae
Order Carps
Order lat. Cypriniformes
Origin Sri Lanka
Habitat Mountain streams
Diet Omnivore
pH 6.0-7.5
Behavior Territorial
Keeping Individual, group
Care Level Difficult
Reproduction Oviparous
Breeding None reported
Life Span 3-5 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 7 cm
Temperature 20-26 °C
Hardness 2-12 °dH
Aquarium ~ 100 l
US Units
Size 2.8"
Temperature 68-79 °F
Hardness 36-214 ppm
Aquarium ~ 25 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Ceylon Brook Loach is Sabaragamuwa in southwestern Sri Lanka. 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, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once daily with a high quality sinking dry food (granules, pellets, food tablets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae and plankton (live or frozen). In addition, they also need some vegetable food, such as algae 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 very territorial within the species. Several animals should only be kept in a larger, richly structured tank. A socialization with other robust and 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 no known 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 should be checked at least every 14 days. 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: Alex Rinesch

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF