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Lepto Loach

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

   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.

   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.

   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!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Leptobotia guilinensis Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cobitidae

Care and feeding:    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.

Author: Clarice Brough. CFS.

Lastest Comments on Lepto Loach View all 4 comments on Lepto Loach Add Your Comment

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. Click For Replies (1) 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

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

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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