Zipper Loach (Acanthocobitis botia)

Zipper Loach Acanthocobitis botia
Name	Zipper Loach
Name Lat.	Acanthocobitis botia
Synonym	Paracanthocobitis botia
Family	Stone Loaches
Family lat.	Nemacheilidae
Order	Carps
Order lat.	Cypriniformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Streams, rivers
Diet	Omnivore
pH	6.0-7.5
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	5-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	9 cm
Temperature	21-26 °C
Hardness	< 15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 200 l
US Units
Size	3.5"
Temperature	70-79 °F
Hardness	< 267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Pied loaches are widely distributed from southern India to Thailand to southern China. They live in moderately flowing streams and rivers, with dense vegeation and sandy bottoms, among roots, stones and foliage. They prefer shallow places near the banks, shaded by trees and bushes.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have dense planting, shady hiding places (roots, stones, caves), subdued light (floating plants), sufficient swimming space and a weak current. In order not to injure their barbels, a fine-grained substrate (sand, round gravel) is ideal, which can be covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves)

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 peaceful and sociable fish, although territorial disputes may occasionally occur within the group. Socialization with not too small, robust fish is well possible. At least 5 spotted loaches should be kept together. Individually kept animals remain skittish and shy. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements to the water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Adult males have a groove below the eyes and are slightly smaller and more slender than females.

Reproduction and breeding

Breeding in the aquarium has already succeeded occasionally. They spawn 100-150 eggs between plants, according to other reports on the substrate. After about 36 hours the larvae hatch and swim freely after 3-5 days. No brood care is practiced.

The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.

Important

They are predominantly crepuscular and usually remain hidden in burrows or under rocks and roots during the day

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the pollutant load 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); 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