|
 |
Berdmore's LoachBlyth's loach Family: Cobitidae
When falling in love with the exquisite beauty of the Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach be ready for its rather quarrelsome nature. It could fair fine with more robust tank mates, or it may be the star of its own aquarium!The adult coloration of the Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach is quite striking. It has a brownish gold background color with strong clear vertical green banding. This is topped with elongated spots running horizontally along the body and onto the tail fin. There is also a strong red coloring in the fins and tail. As a juvenile this loach is quite similar in to its close relative Botia beauforti in both color and body. But as adults only the Berdmore's Loach retains the green banding, and it grows much larger than the B. beauforti.The Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach can range between a community to semi-aggressive fish. Each fish will have its own degree of aggressive behavior. Don't keep them with any timid fish, rather keep them in a large aquarium with other more robust tank mates. They are often intolerant of other loaches even their own species. Plan on keeping only one in the aquarium unless there are plenty of caves or retreats available for each to establish its own territory. As they can grow quite large they will need plenty of room for swimming. It is recommended that they be kept in a larger aquarium with good clear water. For more Information on keeping this fish see:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Geographic Distribution Syncrossus berdmorei |
|---|
|
| Point data provided by FishBase.org |
Since they are omnivorous, the Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach will generally eat all kinds of live and frozen foods, sinking pellets, and a bit of algae in a sinking tablet. Because they spend almost all their time on the bottom of the aquarium sinking food is necessary.
This fish requires a larger sized aquarium (30 - 35 gallons minimum and larger as they grow) with places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. Provide a soft substrate such as a fine gravel or sand.They do best in a soft to medium water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. The substrate can be gravel or a large grain sand that does not have sharp edges.
Distribution:
The Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach are found in Asia;
India, Myanmar and central Thailand. They inhabit clear mountain streams
as well as medium to large sized rivers.
Size - Weight:
These fish are can reach about 6 - 8" (15 - 20 cm) in
the aquarium, but in the wild these fish can get up to 10" (25 cm).
Social Behaviors:
They may be kept in a community aquarium with other semi-aggressive
tank mates but are generally intolerant of other loaches, even their own
species. It is best to keep one per aquarium unless there is lots of space
and caves for each to stake out its own territory.
Sexual Differences:
Unknown.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
These fish are bottom dwellers.
Acceptable Water Conditions:
Hardness: up to 12° dH
Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
Temp: 72 - 79° F (22 - 26° C)
Breeding/Reproduction:
The Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach have not been bred
in the aquarium and they are not yet bred commercially.
Availability:
The Berdmore's Loach or Blyth's loach is often available.
Comments from people who have kept this fish:
I also have one of these in my African cichlid tank. This fish is extremely aggressive towards all of my fish. I put him in and immediately he began tormenting all fish, even fish much larger than him. He is very interesting to watch I just hope my other fish get used to him soon. They all seem to be scared.
I have one of these little terrors. I've never seen a loach more aggresive than this one. He attacks all of my fish when they swim by him, even my convict cichlid and green terror. If he's scared, he darts away back into his little hole. He likes to snack on feeder fish, brine shrimp, and freeze-dried krill.
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]
