Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Freshwater Loaches > Zebra Loach

Zebra LoachStriped Loach, Thinline Loach

Family: Cobitidae

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Botia striataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     The Zebra Loach is a most handsome fish, as well as being a lively addition to an aquarium!

     At first sight the Zebra Loach appears to have lots of vertical bands, but basically it has a yellowish green body with about nine (very broad) dark bluish-green bands. These bands have whitish lines inside that are generally straight, but sometimes can be broken or branched. Its fins and tail are translucent with the tail having bands of brown spots. There are four pairs of barbels by the mouth.

   The Zebra Loach is a lively fish and though it is naturally nocturnal, once it becomes acclimated it will spend a good deal of time out and about during the day. They enjoy a planted tank with open areas to swim, and places to hide or retreat to in among rocks or wood.

     They enjoy the company of their own kind as well as other non-aggressive loaches, and do best in small groups. Though generally quite peaceful with their tank mates they have been known to nip occasionally, usually it is just among themselves. They will also munch on snails and are good for snail control. The Zebra Loach is a very long lived, durable, and undemanding fish.

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

Care and feeding:      Since they are omnivorous, the Zebra 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 and brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers. They will also eat snails, so are good for snail control.
     This fish prefers a fair sized aquarium (20 gallons or more) with plants, open areas to swim, and places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. Also use subdued lighting. They do best in softer water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. Because they are constantly scavenging for tidbits in the substrate, use a fine gravel or sand that does not have sharp edges. Be sure to provide hardy plants with the roots protected and have decorations firmly placed on the glass bottom so they don't fall over. Plastic tubes also make safe and excellent hiding places.

Distribution:      The Zebra Loach are found from Mysore in southern India, from still or slow moving waters.

Size - Weight:      These fish can reach from 3 1/2 - 4 inches (8 -10 cm), though often a bit smaller in the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:      A good community fish, they get along well with other loaches and tank mates that are non-aggressive. They enjoy the company of their own species and it is recommended that they be kept in small groups of at least 3, though a larger group is preferable.
     They are quite active and have been reported to occasionally nip the fins of their tank mates, though usually their squabbling is just between themselves. They are naturally nocturnal but will become quite active during the day once they become acclimated. Good for snail control! Lively and fun to watch.

Sexual Differences:      Unknown though a gravid female will be rounder.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      These fish are mostly bottom dwellers, but will spend some time in the middle of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Hardness: soft to medium, ranging from 5 - 12 dH
     Ph: 6.5-7.5
     Temp: 73-79 ° F (23-26 ° C)

Breeding/Reproduction:      Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Zebra Loach and they are not yet bred commercially.

Availability:      The Zebra Loach is usually readily available.

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Latest Comments
hiya. Can anyone help me ? I have 3 zebra loach in a 4 foot tank, which has been running for about a year now. One of them is losing colour in patches all over its body but the other 2 are fine. Its still acting as normal, swimming and playing around. Nothing changed in the way it acts just in colour ? Has anyone any ideas why ? Thanks ! Mat 2009-12-09
I have 4 of these happy campers who always stay together. The zebras are as lively as the rest of my loaches (9 clowns, 4 skunks, 5 lochahatas, 5 burmeses, 7 modestas, 5 zodiacs). They look like one big happy family and can all be hand-fed. Sijb 2008-01-26
I have had the pleasure of keeping three zebra loaches for over a year now. They are the cutest little creatures. I made them a cave with rocks and a plastic pipe and they stay hiding in that area for most of the day. When they do come out they are busily zipping about the aquarium playfully nipping each other. I love them! eva 2007-10-15

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