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Zipper LoachMottled Loach, Eye-Spot Loach, Sand Loach, Striped LoachFamily: Balitoridae Acanthocobitis botiaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs Latest Reader Comment - See More 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... (more) Frank M. Greco The Zipper Loach has a beautiful patterning when it is young that looks just like a zipper!Zipper Loach Contents The Zipper Loach Acanthocobitis botia is a beautiful, slender, elongated fish with a decorative pattern, especially as a juvenile. It is also a nice sized river loach reaching between 3 to 4 1/3 inches (10 - 12 cm) in length, though generally staying on the smaller size in the aquarium. It has a grayish green background color with a lighter, 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. The most common name for this loach is Zipper Loach, but is described by many other common names, most of which are indicative of its looks. 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 Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
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Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the Zipper 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 Zipper Loach Acanthocobitis botia is found in Asia; especially India, Thailand, and China. Other common names it is known by include Mottled Loach, Eye-Spot Loach or Spot Loach, Sand Loach, and Striped Loach.
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.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 2, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1993
- Jeff Shafer, Zipper Loach (Acanthocobitis botia), Loaches Online, 2009
- Acanthocobitis botia (Hamilton, 1822) Mottled loach, Fishbase.org
- Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974
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