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Batik LoachFamily: Balitoridae
Syn: Noemacheilus triangularis Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs A beautiful 'batik' patterning on this loach gives an inviting sense of the tropics and the exotic!The Batik Loach is truly a distinctive and beautiful Hillstream Loach. This fish has a gray to whitish background color. It is patterned with angled brown to reddish stripes interspersed with spots. The stripes tend to intermittently merge in the center making a horizontal line back to the tail. When they get stressed or nervous they can drastically change color from lighter browns to very dark, almost black. Unlike many of the Hillstream Loaches, the Batik Loach prefers warmer water. It is also nocturnal and quite shy. Provide subdued lighting and be sure to provide plenty of hiding and resting places created with rocks and driftwood. ((lf they do not have adequate hiding places, they can become inactive and remain reclusive.) They like to burrow so a substrate of sand or fine gravel is best. Plants are not necessary but they are a nice addition. Batik Loaches are hardy, personable, and generally peaceful. They are good for a community aquarium, but with reasonably robust tank mates. They can and will defend their territory nipping the fins of others, especially when feeding. They are best kept singly. Only keep with others of their own species or similar loaches if the aquarium is very large with ample hiding places for all. For more Information on keeping this fish see:
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| Geographic Distribution Mesonoemacheilus triangularis |
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| Point data provided by FishBase.org |
Since they are omnivorous, the Batik Loach will generally eat all kinds of live foods, sinking pelleted and tablet foods, flakes, and algae. They like frozen foods as well. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake or tablet food everyday. Feed mosquito larvae, brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers.
This fish will do well in a larger aquarium (ideally 30 gallons or so) with good water movement, subdued lighting, and places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. They do best in soft to medium, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. The substrate can to be a fine or medium gravel that does not have sharp edges.
Distribution:
The Batik Loaches are found in Asia; India
Size - Weight:
These fish can reach up to about 3.5" - 5" (9 -
12 cm) though it is usually smaller in the aquarium.
Social Behaviors:
They should be kept singly as they can get aggressive
to members of their own species and other similar loaches. They are peaceful
in a community aquarium with mildly aggressive tank mates, but they will
defend their territory especially when feeding. Though they hide during
the day, they can be lively and active in the evening or when feeding.
Sexual Differences:
Unknown
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
These fish are mostly bottom dwellers.
Acceptable Water Conditions:
Hardness: to 5 - 18° dH
Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
Temp: 77 - 86° F (25 - 30° C)
Breeding/Reproduction:
Breeding is unknown and they are not yet bred commercially.
Availability:
The Batik Loach is occasionally available.
Comments from people who have kept this fish:
Author: Clarice Brough. CFS.
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