Chinese Golden Zebra Loach

Botia Robusta, Kansu Loach

Family: Cobitidae Sinibotia robustaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

The Botia Robusta has been given a truly fitting name, the Chinese Golden Zebra Loach!

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach Sinibotia robusta is a lively darling, and fun to watch. This loach is quite the elegant looker with its rich golden body and contrasting bold black bands. True to its name, this loach has a yellowish or golden background color with black bar markings. This makes for a striking appearance.

This loach was previously just simple known as Botia Robusta, which was also its earlier scientific name. But as things get sorted out in the taxonomical and aquarium worlds, handsome fish like this one also get sorted out. Besides being now called the Chinese Golden Zebra Loach, it is also known as the Kansu Loach. This name comes from one of its places of origin, which is the Gansu (Kansu) Province in China.

The golden and black coloration is found on the Botia Robusta both as a juvenile and as an adult. There is a horizontal striping across the head and through the eyes, followed by dark vertical bands along the rest of the body and through the dorsal and tail fin. The dark bands also tend to fork into two narrower strips at about the center and as they wrap under the belly. The pectoral fins are a translucent yellow.

Though generally a good community fish with other loaches and tank mates, the Botia Robusta are quite active and can get aggressive. They have been reported to occasionally nip the fins of their tank mates when feeling agitated. They can be kept in small groups of their own species (three or more), but they are also a more independent loach and can be kept singly as well. Because they are naturally nocturnal, they will be active at dusk and in the evening. They also enjoy snacking on snails, so are good for snail control.

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach is one of the loaches that can be acclimated to a brackish type aquarium. The water can be medium to hard and they can handle a fairly broad temperature range. Like all loaches the Botia Robusta will appreciate lots of hiding and resting places in caves, rocks, and roots. They also like a planted aquarium but with open space for swimming.

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

Habitat: Distribution / Background

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach Sinibotia robusta (previously Botia Robusta) is found in Asia from the Pearl River basin in southeastern China and in northern Viet Nam in the Cao Bang Province. It was first described by Wu in 1939 from a species found in Li Kiang of southern China, and later by Mai 1978 from the Tây-Giang (Hsi-Chiang or West River) of China. Other common names it is known by are Botia Robusta, its earlier scientific name, and Kansu Loach, derived from one of its places of origin, the Gansu (Kansu) Province in China.

These Loaches have been recorded in tributary drainages of the Zhu Jang systems which is one of the most populous and industrialized in China. Because of this the waters are highly polluted and there is concern about the well being of the aquatic life in the area. However this species is listed on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient (DD). It has a relatively restricted range, but there is a lack of information about its distribution or any direct threats to the species.

In their natural habitat it is assumed that these loaches tend to gravitate to the slow and moderate flowing parts of rivers and streams where there are clear waters and a sandy/rocky type substrate. They are a benthic predator and hunt insects, crustaceans and smaller fish.

• Scientific Name: Sinibotia robusta
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: DD - Data Deficient

Description

The Botia Robusta is a moderately sized loach. It can reach between about 5 - 7 " (13 - 18 cm) in the wild, though they are usually on the smaller side in the aquarium with a lifespan of about 8 - 10 years. This loach has a yellowish or golden background color with black bar markings. This makes for a striking appearance and is found on the Botia Robusta both as a juvenile and as an adult. The horizontal striping across the head and through the eyes are followed by dark vertical bands along the rest of the body and through the dorsal and tail fin. The dark bands also tend to fork into two narrower strips at about the center and as they wrap under the belly. The pectoral fins are a translucent yellow.

• Size of fish - inches: 7.1 inches (18.01 cm) - It can reach about 5 - 7 " (13 - 18 cm), but is normally a bit smaller in the aquarium.
• Lifespan: 10 years - Their life span is about 8 - 10 years.

Fish Keeping Difficulty

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach can be hardy under the right conditions. They are not recommended for beginners because of their need for pristine water and having small body scales. Reduced scales makes them more prone to disease and very sensitive to medications used to treat disease. Experience in treating scaleless fish is very important to be able to give your loach a healthy and long life. Do not try to introduce these fish into biologically immature tanks.

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

Since they are omnivorous, the Botia Robusta is not a picky eater. In nature this loach feeds primarily benthic organisms, insects, crustaceans and smaller fish. In the aquarium it 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.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet / Pellet: Occasionally
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Most of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

The most important thing for these loaches is that they always have clean and well-oxygenated water. Frequent water changes of about 30% a week are needed. With your weekly water change make sure to vacuum the gravel to remove all excess food and waste. Make sure not to remove the biofilm on rocks, decor or no viewing panes of the tank. A magnet algae cleaner normally does a great job in keeping the viewing pane clear.

• Water Changes: Weekly - Water changes of about 30% weekly.

Aquarium Setup

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach is mostly a bottom dweller, but will occasionally swim in the middle of the aquarium. Because these fish do best in groups, a larger tank of at least 30 gallons will work best. Never introduce this loach into a biological immature setup as these fish require pristine water.

They need good water movement that provides plenty of oxygenation.The tank should turnover at least 10-15 times per hour, powerheads and airstones can be introduced to achieve proper flow and oxygenation. An undergravel filter is a great choice for these fish as it creates high oxygen through out the tank as well as reducing the waste. This is one of the loaches that can also be acclimated to a low-salinity brackish water aquarium. Keep specific gravity less than 1.005 and preferably less than 1.003.

The decor with this fish is really up to personal taste as the fish doesn't really pay much attention to it. If the tank is to resemble its natural habitat, sand and gravel mix would be best for the substrate. A lot of smooth water-worn large rocks and stones should be scattered throughout. Provide subdued lighting along with a couple pieces of driftwood and some twisted roots to make places for retreat. These loaches are very inquisitive and like to explore so make sure to have a lot of caves and crevices. These fish can and will jump out of the tank if given the chance so make sure to have a tight fitting cover.

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L)
• Suitable for Nano Tank: No
• Substrate Type: Sand/Gravel Mix - Should have larger smooth rocks for shelter as well.
• Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
• Temperature: 65.0 to 75.0° F (18.3 to 23.9° C) - In the wild they enjoy a subtropical 65 - 75° F (18 - 24° C), but have been kept in the aquarium at 77 - 83° F (25 - 28° C).
• Range ph: 7.0-7.8
• Hardness Range: 6 - 22 dGH
• Brackish: Sometimes - This is primarily a freshwater fish but it can be acclimated to low-salinity brackish water conditions. Keep specific gravity less than 1.005 and preferably less than 1.003.
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: Bottom - These fish are mostly bottom dwellers, but will occasionally swim in the middle of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

Though they are generally a peaceful community fish, they are quite active and can get aggressive. They have been known to nip the fins of their tank mates when aggravated. They can be kept with their own species but as they are a more independent loach, they can also be kept singly.

These loaches form a social hierarchy and should be kept in groups of 5 or more if tank is big enough. Any less and the dominant loach will act out towards any fish that is of similar shape. And if kept in pairs the dominant loach will normal attack the other and prevent them from eating. Singly they will normally do fine, but may be a bit on the shy side.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes - Best in groups of 5 or more, with a minimum of 3.
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor
  • Aggressive (): Threat
  • Large Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
  • Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat
  • Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor - Is known to nip the fins of slow swimming long fined fish.
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat - is aggressive - Will eat snails.
  • Plants: Monitor

Sex: Sexual differences

Most of the time, though not always, females should have heavier bodies.

Breeding / Reproduction

The Chinese Golden Zebra Loach have not been bred in the aquarium and they are not yet bred commercially. In nature these loaches are seasonal, possibly migratory spawners.

• Ease of Breeding: Unknown

Fish Diseases

Loaches are more susceptible to disease than other aquarium fishes. This may have to do with the faint body scales and no head scales. So take caution when introducing these fish to an established tank. They are also very sensitive to different medications used to treat many diseases; a separate hospital tank is needed. Cold water and condition changes can also cause stress to this fish which makes them even more prone to disease.

Most common disease that affects this loach is Ich. Ich is short for Ichthyophthirius, also known as "white spot disease". It is a parasite that can attack nearly all aquarium fishes, but you'll find that loaches are often the first to be attacked. Take great care in treating ick as loaches are very sensitive to the medications used to treat it. Often the dose is half of what is normally used.

The second most common thing that affects loaches is a thing called skinny disease. This can be diagnosed fairly easily. If your loaches are eating a nitrous and healthy amounts and still seems to loose weight it is a good chance it has skinny disease. This is caused by internal parasites and can be treated with medication if used carefully.

An outbreak of disease can often be limited to just one or a few fishes if you deal with it at an early stage. When keeping these sensitive types of fish, it is common to catch deteriorating water conditions and disease before other fish are affected. The best way to proactively prevent disease is to give your Chinese Golden Zebra Loach the proper environment and give them a well balanced diet. The closer to their natural habitat the less stress the fish will have, making them healthier and happy. A stressed fish will is more likely to acquire disease.

Anything you add to your tank can bring disease to your tank. Not only other fish but plants, substrate, and decorations can harbor bacteria. Take great care and make sure to properly clean or quarantine anything that you add to an established tank so not to upset the balance. It is recommended to read up on the common tank diseases. Knowing the signs and catching and treating them early makes a huge difference. For information about freshwater fish diseases and illnesses, see Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.

Availability

The Botia Robusta, also called the Chinese Golden Zebra Loach, is occasionally available both in pet stores and online.

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. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 4 , Mergus Verlag (June 30, 2004)
• Martin Thoene, Sinibotia robusta, Loaches Online, 2009
• Sinibotia robusta (Wu, 1939), Fishbase.org
• Sinibotia robusta, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974

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