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Ornate Tiger Sand Loach

Family: Balitoridae

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Schistura kohchangensisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Courtesy: Fish2U

     Like many of the Schistura species, the Ornate Tiger Sand Loach with its bright color and patterning is truly an eye catching fellow!

     The Ornate Tiger Sand Loach is native to Southern Asia, specifically Thailand, and thought it is quite pretty it has not been readily available. It has a bold patterning of 10 - 12 dark vertical bars, usually vertically split, on a light white to golden background and there are irregular rows of spots on the fins and tail.

     These are Hillstream Loaches, meaning they come from cool fast-moving streams. They will do best in a cooler "river" type aquarium kept with good water movement and subdued lighting. Provide a large grain sand or small gravel substrate. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding and resting places created with rocks and driftwood. A moderate amount of plants can be a nice addition.

     Hillstream Loaches often enjoy the company of their own kind as well as other community fish. Though generally peaceful with their tank mates some species have been known to nip occasionally. Usually this is just among themselves. It is recommended that they be kept in groups of at least three, with larger groups of five to seven acclimating easier than smaller groups.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Care and feeding:      Since they are omnivorous, the Ornate Tiger Sand 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 large grain sand or fine gravel that does not have sharp edges.

Distribution:      The Ornate Tiger Sand Loaches are found in southern Asia; Thailand.

Size - Weight:      This fish can reach from about 2 - 4 " (5 - 10 cm) though it is usually smaller in the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:           A good community fish, they will tolerate other tank mates as well as enjoy other members of their own species. They tend to be shy and it is recommended that they be kept in groups of at least three, with larger groups of five to seven acclimating easier than smaller groups.

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: 73 - 79 ° F (23-26 ° C)

Breeding/Reproduction:      They are not yet bred commercially.

Availability:      The Ornate Tiger Sand Loach is occasionally available.

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Latest Comments
I have one Ornate loach. I know it will eat guppies and other small fish. I gave it a worm but did not see it eat it but it is gone. greg 2009-01-15

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