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Dwarf LoachDwarf Chain Loach, Dwarf Botia, Monkey BotiaFamily: Cobitidae Yasuhikotakia sidthimunkiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More I have been keeping Sids for a few years now (in a 50 Gal tank) and have had them spawn. I was force to relocate them to another 50 gal tank as the tank they were... (more) Gary The Dwarf Chain Loach is considered to be the best all around aquarium fish of the Botias!Dwarf Loach Contents The Dwarf Loach or Chain Loach Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki is one of the most attractive Botias. Previously it was scientifically described as Botia sidthimunki. It has a pretty golden to white coloring accented with a nice bold chain-type patterning that extends along the entire length of the upper half of its body. This Chained Loach is considered to be the smallest of its genus, reaching only 2 to 2 1/2 inches (5 - 6 cm) in length. It has been a popular fish and all sorts of common names are associated with it. They are derived from both its appearance and its interesting behaviors, as well as its scientific names. You can find it called Dwarf Chain Loach, Dwarf Botia, Monkey Botia, Chained Loach, Ladderback Loach, pygmy Loach, Mouse Loach, Chipmunk Botia, Sid, and Sid Monkey Loach. The Dwarf Chain Loach has a stripe laterally along the side from its nose to its tail. Its body is whitish below the middle stripe while above the stripe are golden blotches separated by dark markings. Then there's another dark stripe close to the top, giving it a 'chained' appearance. These chain markings show up when the fish is about 1 1/4" in size but is most intense while it is a juvenile. As an adult these chain-like markings fade. The intensity of the stripe can also change with its mood, varying from a dark heavy stripe to extremely light stripe that can be almost invisible. The tail is a light yellow. A very active yet peaceful fish, a small group of Dwarf Loach makes an attractive addition to a community aquarium. They enjoy the company of their own species and will do best in a group of six to eight, three is considered the minimum. Dwarf Loaches are not as shy of light as many Botias and will be active and playful during the day. For a comfortable home provide a soft substrate, some rocks and roots, and some plants for resting places. The water should be soft with regular changes. They are easy to care for and will eat any type of food that is provided, especially enjoying live and frozen worms. In their natural habitat, due to dams constructed on their natural river system causing habitat destruction, wild caught specimens are extremely rare and thought to possibly even be extinct. They are commercially produced today, but are not often readily available and can be expensive. Its close cousin The Black-Lined Loach Yasuhikotakia nigrolineata is very similar in both appearance and behavior, and can be a good substitution.For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the Dwarf Chain Loach is not a picky eater and 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 prefers a medium sized aquarium (20 gallons or so). Plants are nice as are rocks and roots to give them a places to rest. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. Because they are found in muddy slow moving or still waters a soft substrate is best, such as a fine gravel or sand.
Distribution: The Dwarf Loach or Chained Loach Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, (previously Botia sidthimunki) is found in northern India and Thailand. This species is considered to be the smallest of its genus.
Size - Weight: These fish generally reach from 2 - 2 1/2 inches (5 - 6 cm).
Social Behaviors: A good community fish as they don't demonstrate the nipping tendencies of some of their Botia cousins, and they are happiest when kept in a school of their own kind. A group of six to eight is suggested, with a minimum of three. They are also not as timid when it is light and are active and playful during the day.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: Unlike most of the Botias, which are bottom dwellers, this fish tends to swim in the middle of the aquarium
Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: soft, but ranging from 1-15 dH
Ph: 6.5-6.9
Temp: 76-82° F (24-28° C)
Breeding/Reproduction: Most of the fish that have been sold in the hobby in the past 10 years or so were produced by the use of hormone injection spawning in Thailand. The breeder specimens used for the first attempts had to be purchased from private collections because wild fish were so rare. Since then, some new wild populations have been found so new breeders have been collected.
Availability: The Dwarf Loach or Chained Loach use to be readily available to the hobbyist but has become quite rare in recent years. This is mainly due to the construction of hydroelectric dams. Their habitat was covered by reservoirs.
However some new wild populations have been found and collected for captive breeding. There are captive bred specimens, but they are not always readily available and can be expensive. Its close cousin, the Black-Lined Loach, is more readily available and can be a good substitution.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
- Martin Thoene, Dwarf Loach (Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki), Loaches Online, 2009
- Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki (Klausewitz, 1959) Dwarf botia, Fishbase.org
- Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974
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