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Lepto LoachFamily: Cobitidae
The Leptobotia Guilinensis is not only a very pretty loach, but it is one that is a very rare find!This loach 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 including the fins and tail are dark vertical bands. The Leptobotia Guilinensis are from cooler, temperate waters and are not often seen for sale here. 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. Leptobotia Guilinensis is a rather small member reaching only about 3 - 4" (8 - 10 cm). Other members can get quite large, such as the massive Royal Clown Loach Leptobotia elongata which can reach about 20" (50 cm) in the wild!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. Unlike many loaches they are not shy. Though they will appreciate lots of hiding and resting places in caves, rocks, and roots, they are active and will not spend as much time hiding. For more Information on keeping this fish see:
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| Geographic Distribution Leptobotia guilinensis |
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| Point data provided by FishBase.org |
Since they are omnivorous, the Leptobotia Guilinensis 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 soft substrate such as a fine gravel or sand. They do best in cooler, soft water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week.
Distribution:
Leptobotia Guilinensis are found in Asia; China and Viet
Vietnam They inhabit streams with sandy bottoms.
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)
Breeding/Reproduction:
The Leptobotia Guilinensis have not been bred in the aquarium
and they are not yet bred commercially.
Availability:
The Leptobotia Guilinensis is very rarely available, but
quite a find if you come across one.
Comments from people who have kept this fish:
This loach is a fun species to watch, I inherited one and he is very lively and active!
Author: Clarice Brough. CFS.
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