Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Hillstream Loaches > Zipper Loach

Zipper Loach - Eye-Spot Loach

Mottled Loach, Spot Loach, Sand Loach, Striped Loach Family: Balitoridae

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Acanthocobitis botia
Syn: Noemacheilus Botia Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   The Zipper Loach is a beautiful, slender, and elongated fish whose patterning when it is young looks just like a 'zipper'!

   On its sides the Zipper Loach has a grayish green background color, a light to whitish belly, and dark blotches on the sides and top. The dorsal and tail fin have stripes made up of dark spots. If well cared for, it can also have an orange-red cast to its fins.

   This loach is described by many names, most of which are indicative of its looks. The most common name for this loach is Zipper Loach. This is very descriptive when it is young as it looks like it is covered with a 'zipper' pattern. It also has a unique 'eye-spot' on the top part at the base of the caudal fin, lending to the name Eye-Spot Loach or Spot Loach. But as this loach grows, its pattern stretches out and other distinctive names come into play, such as Mottled Loach or Striped Loach. The only odd-ball name is Sand Loach, which probably comes from its preference for digging and hiding in soft substrates such as sand or fine gravel.

   The Zipper Loach is nocturnal and can be quite shy until it becomes acclimated. Provide subdued lighting and be sure to provide plenty of hiding and resting places created with rocks and driftwood. As they like to burrow, a substrate of sand or fine gravel is best. Plants are not necessary but they are appreciated.

   Zipper Loaches are hardy, personable, and generally peaceful. They are good for a community aquarium, but with reasonably robust tank mates. They have been known to nip angelfish and gouramis who have longer fins. Though most Hillstream loaches are best kept singly as they have a tendency to quarrel with others of their own species, this one has reportedly been kept with others of its own kind.

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

Distribution:
   The Zipper Loaches are found in Asia; especially India, Thailand, and China.

Size - Weight:
   These fish can reach up to about 3" - 4 1/3" (8 - 11 cm) though it is usually smaller in the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:
     Though most Hillstream loaches are best kept singly as they have a tendency to quarrel with others of their own species and other similar loaches, this one has reportedly been kept with others of its own kind. They are peaceful in a community aquarium with mildly aggressive tank mates, but have been know to nip fish with longer fins such as angelfish and gouramis. Though they hide during the day, they can be lively and active in the evening or when feeding.

Sexual Differences:
   The male has a definite groove under the eye.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish are mostly bottom dwellers.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: to 8° dH
   Ph: 6.6 - 7.8
   Temp: 72 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)

Breeding/Reproduction:
      There are reports of the Zipper Loach having spawned for hobbyists but not much is known about their breeding habits. They are not yet bred commercially.

Availability:
   The Zipper Loach is generally available.

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Latest Comments
I am maintaining a group of 8 without incident. They are highly social loaches and do no damage to each other. I would suggest keeping a minimum of 5, providing you have enough room to do so (they reach about 4.5" TL). Definitely a good loach for beginners. Frank M. Greco 2006-10-27
I love this fish. they are really big, but very diffucult to keep. sharhin islam 2005oct10 2005-10-19

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Author: Clarice Brough. CFS.