|
 |
Bengal LoachQueen Loach, Scarf Botia, Indian Loach Family: Cobitidae
This gorgeous fish comes from Bangladesh and thus is suitably named the Bengal Loach. But we do like its alternate name the "Queen Loach" ... being much more descriptive of its regal appearance!The Bengal Loach or Queen Loach has a beautiful golden coloration with vertical black striping the length of its body and onto its tail. As this fish reaches maturity the stripes widen and the number of stripes increases, the overall coloration also becomes more subdued. Though the Bengal Loach or Queen Loach may initially be shy, if it is kept in good company (being several of its own kind) and has a comfortable home, it will soon spend its time out and about. They are shy of bright light and will appreciate caves and plants as places to hide or retreat to during the day and then get active towards dusk. They are great scavengers and they eat snails, so are good for snail control. . They are generally quite peaceful and though they may tussle with members of their own species, they don't really harm one another. They do well in a community aquarium with other less aggressive species, but they can hold their own with mildly aggressive tank mates. For more Information on keeping this fish see:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Geographic Distribution Botia dario |
|---|
|
| Point data provided by FishBase.org |
Since they are omnivorous, the Bengal Loach or Queen Loach will generally eat all kinds of live foods. They like tablets and frozen foods as well, but flake foods are not suggested. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), mosquito larvae, tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers.
This fish does fine in a medium sized aquarium (20 gallons or so) with lots of plants and places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. Also use subdued lighting. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. Because they are burrowers, the substrate needs to be a fine gravel or sand that does not have sharp edges. Be sure to provide hardy plants with the roots protected and have decorations firmly placed on the glass bottom so they don't fall over. Plastic tubes also make safe and excellent hiding places.
Distribution:
The Bengal Loach or Queen Loach is found in northern India,
in the streams and rivers of Bangladesh.
Size - Weight:
These fish can get up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm), though they
can get up to 6 inches (15.2 cm) in the wild, they are usually smaller
in the aquarium.
Social Behaviors:
A good community fish. They can get a bit aggressive to members
of their own species. They don't harm each other and it is most likely
an establishing of a hierarchy. They are peaceful but they can hold their
own with mildly aggressive tank mates. Though they hide during the day,
they are lively and active in the evening.
Sexual Differences:
Full grown females will be rounder.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
These fish are mostly bottom dwellers, but will occasionally
swim in the middle or upper parts of the aquarium.
Acceptable Water Conditions:
Hardness: soft up to about 10° dH
Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
Temp: 79-84° F (26-29° C)
Breeding/Reproduction:
Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Bengal
Loach or Queen Loach and they are not yet bred commercially.
Availability:
The Bengal Loach or Queen Loach is usually available.
Comments from people who have kept this fish:
i have a bengal loach but it hides in a piece of bog wood.
I have 2 Bengal loach's and they are awesome little fish. They are very adaptable and hardy. It is great to watch them playing and picking at each other constantly, they are fun to watch. They do good with their tank mates...I have 5 tiger barbs, 4 gouramis and 2 pleco's with them in a 30 gallon tank.
Author: Clarice Brough. CFS.
[Home] [Newsfeed]
[Saltwater Aquariums]
[Reef Aquariums]
[Freshwater Aquariums]
[Cats][Pet Birds] [Small Animals] [Reptiles] [Cute Pets] [References] [Team] [Pet Links] [Pet Supplies] [Care Sheets] [About Animal-World] [Site Map][Privacy Policy] [Recommended Pet Books]
