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Lepto Loach

Royal Gold Banded Loach

Family: CobitidaeLeptobotia guilinensisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

The Lepto Loach is not only a very pretty loach, but it is one that is a very rare find!

The Lepto Loach Leptobotia Guilinensis is a rather small, but very attractive loach species. It has an elongated golden brown body with a very attractive design. Horizontal stripes run across the head to just behind the eyes. Along the rest of the body are dark vertical bands. The fins and tail also have dark banding. It is also known as the Royal Gold Banded Loach.

Keeping a Leptobotia Guilinensis loach can be an enriching experience. They can be kept in a community aquarium, but with more robust tank mates as they can get territorial and have been known to nip fins. Unlike many loaches the Royal Gold Banded Loaches are not shy. They will appreciate lots of hiding and resting places in caves, rocks, and roots. A substrate of sand or fine gravel along with some larger gravel or pebbles in can simulate a natural type environment. They are active and will not spend as much time hiding as other loach species.

The Lepto Loach is from cooler, temperate waters. They are not often seen for sale here. Being rare they are an exciting find for an aquarist who wants something unique and distinctive. Fish labeled as L. Guilinensis often turn out to be the Golden Zebra Loach Sinibotia pulchra or other Sinibotia species.

The Lepto Loach L. Guilinensis is a rather small member of its genus, reaching only about 3 to 4 inches (8 - 10 cm) in length. In the Leptobotia genus there are 13 species. They all originate from China except one, the rare and endangered Leptobotia curta which is from Japan. Other members can get quite large, such as the massive Royal Clown Loach Leptobotia elongata which can reach about 20 inches (50 cm) in the wild.

For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see:
Freshwater Aquarium Guide: Aquarium Setup and Care

Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the Lepto 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 and brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers.

This fish prefers a larger sized aquarium (30 gallons or so) with places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. Plants are also appreciated. Provide a sand or fine gravel substrate along with some variable sized gravel or pebbles. They do best in cooler, well-oxygenated soft water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week.

Distribution: The Lepto Loach Leptobotia Guilinensis are found in Asia; China and Viet Vietnam They inhabit streams with sandy bottoms. Other common names it is known by are Royal Gold Banded Loach.

Size - Weight: These fish reach up to about 3 - 4" ( 8 - 10 cm ).

Social Behaviors: Unlike many loaches they are not shy. Though they are generally a peaceful community fish, they are quite active and can get aggressive. They can get territorial and may nip the fins of their tank mates.

Sexual Differences: Unknown.

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

Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: medium hard of 5 - 15° dH
Ph: 6.0 - 7.5
Temp: 72 - 77° F (22 - 25° C)
Hardness: 5 - 20

Breeding/Reproduction: The Lepto Loach have not been bred in the aquarium and they are not yet bred commercially.

Availability: The Lepto Loach Leptobotia Guilinensis is very rarely available, but quite a find if you come across one.

References

• Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
• Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
• Dr. R{uuml}diger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 4 , Mergus Verlag (June 30, 2004)
• Martin Thoene, Leptobotia guilinensis, Loaches Online, 2009
• Leptobotia guilinensis (Chen, 1980), Fishbase.org
• Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974

Author: Clarice Brough CFS

Lastest Comments on Lepto Loach View all 5 comments on Lepto Loach Add Your Comment

Patrice Johnson - 2008-07-06 I received a Leptobotia guilinensis and put it in with my Koi and within two days my Koi are dead, it chased them around the pond, 80 gallons with many hiding area's. Is this normal behavior? Reply

go2garrett - 2012-02-13 I bought my 2 loaches at a local, family-owned pet store about 6 or 7 years ago and they grew slowly but are very entertaining and now measure about 6 inches counting the tail. They lived harmoniously with Angel fish for many years in a 20 gallon aquarium, until all the Angelfish got old and died. I was told they were called 'Leopard Loaches'. Thanks for giving the real name and history. No wonder I haven't seen them in other pet stores! :) Reply

Kassie - 2011-06-08 I have had my fish for 16 years and it lived in my sisters tank for three years before that. He is at least 19 years now and has become an aggressive fish. I didn't realize this until I got some cicillians and he killed them by chewing on their hind ends. I then have slowly lost almost everything. I have watched him pick on the other fish until they die. I feel bad for the fish and feel as if I need to get rid of him, yet he is 19 and this is his tank. I am open to suggestions. Charlie Roche - 2011-06-09 There are many people who say their wonderful Lepto Loach has become a real nasty guy and has killed other fish in the tank. It seems as they mature and get larger, they want to get rid of anything else in the tank - more room for them. One Lepto should have a 30 gallon tank just for himself. I am sorry this happened to you. They are supposed to be good community fish with the proviso of strong robust tank mates. The fella is 19 years old, and just used to that tank and all he did was do what comes naturally. He was growing and he needs more room so he just sorta got rid of the others who he felt were taking up his space. How about you just forgive him and let him have his tank and remember, he just was doing what is natural for him. He wants to live. Then if you want get a second tank for other fish. Lepto Loaches are rare and hard to find. He just wanted to exist. Reply

Troy Finke - 2009-03-16 Are you sure they weren't just trying to "play" with the koi or school with them. Every single loach or botia I have had love to try to school with other fish whether it be a jaguar cichlid or tetra. I also notice they like to act as cleaner wrasse somewhat. I have seen mine swim sideways against other fish and what not, and I know a lot of koi can be very paranoid and jumpy so it's possible your koi freaked themselves to death from the loaches trying to interact with them. I don't know, it's a thought, I wasn't there watching your loaches so I cant really say. Reply

lacycall - 2006-01-24 This loach is a fun species to watch, I inherited one and he is very lively and active! Reply

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