Family: Cobitidae

Distribution: Chromobotia macracanthus, better known as the Clown Loach, is a tropical freshwater species that has its origins in the inland waters of Sumatra and Borneo.

PH: 5.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 25°C – 30°C (77 – 86F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: The Clown Loach is a big, bold species that can reach an impressive 22 cm in length.  It has a bright, whitish-orange – often red-orange – colour, three black, vertical triangular bars that extend over its body, and bright to deep red colouration on its fins and tail.  There is some regional colour variation: Borneo species have pelvic fins that are reddish orange and black, while those from Sumatra have red-orange pelvic fins.  It’s name, Clown Loach, comes from its bright colouration and its playful, clownish personality.

Diet: Chromobotia macracanthus generally eat their food at the bottom of the tank, but may swoop up to claim the much-desired bloodworm snacks if housed in a community tank.  You can offer the Clown Loach anything from commercial flake food and fish pellets to an array of live foods.  It will appreciate worms, shrimp, plant matter and small snails.

Breeding: There is no information available on the successful breeding of Clown Loaches in an aquarium environment.  This species has been spawned commercially – with the use of hormones – in the Czech Republic, but is very hard to breed in a tank.

Comments: Chromobotia macracanthus should be housed in a large tank – at least 30 gallons – and given plenty of areas in which to hide.  You should create rock formations and caves – plastic tubes can make excellent hiding spots – as well as providing plants and roots.  It is advised you also have a subdued lighting in your aquarium, and a fine, sandy substrate.

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Recommended Compatible Species: They should not be housed with aggressive fish – They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Originally posted 2010-01-05 20:25:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Family: Balitorinae

Distribution: Pseudogastromyzon myersi, better known as Sucker-belly Loach, is a benthopelagic Asian species endemic to Guangdong Province, China; it has also been reported in Hong Kong.  This algae-feeding species is distributed in rapid, flowing streams.   

PH: 7.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 20°C – 24C (68 – 75F)

Hardness: 8 – 12 dH

Description: Pseudogastromyzon myersi can reach up to 6 cm in length, but is usually measured around 3 cm.  Sexually active males have more prominent nasal tubercles than females.   This species is often confused with Pseudogastromyzon cheni, due to its uncanny similarities. 

Diet: Pseudogastromyzon myersi will eat most foods offered to it.  You could try offering it quality flake, sinking pellets, thawed bloodworm, mysis shrimp, spinach, natural algae and kale as part of a varied, healthy diet. 

Breeding: This species’ spawning habits are largely unknown, but it has definitely been bred in an aquarium environment.  You should put a gravel substrate in your tank and provide the young fry with plenty of foodstuffs.  Breeding habits are said to mirror those of Pseudogastromyzon cheni.

Comments: This schooling species will require at least a 55 gallon tank.  You should provide plenty of open areas for swimming and attempt to mimic its natural environment: high current, high-oxygen highland streams.  Decorate your tank with pebbles, rocky hiding places and reasonable lighting, along with plants such as Anubias and Microsoreum.  This species requires strict attention to water conditions and is recommended to experienced hobbyists.

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Recommended Compatible Species: This peaceful species will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

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Family: Cobitidae

Distribution: Botia lohachata, known by many names but perhaps best as Yoyo Loach, is a species distributed throughout the north and northeastern parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.  It is found in creeks with rocky, gravel bottoms. 

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 24°C – 30°C (74 – 86F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Botia lohachata grows to a maximum of 11 cm in length and, funnily enough, has a pattern of “Y’s” and “O’s” along its flanks.  This species has a sliver-gold, scaleless body.  It can be difficult to sex this species, but males are usually slimmer and may display a red colouration around their barbells.   The Yoyo Loach has a downward-pointing mouth and four pairs of barbels protruding from its mouth.    

Diet: The Yoyo Loach is easy to feed and will eat most things you offer it.  You may consider offering it a few pellets before night-time, but flake and frozen food will go down just as nicely.  It loves live food equally – bloodworms, brine shrimp and snail are reportedly well received.  Give the Yoyo Loach a varied diet to maintain its good health.

Breeding: This species has not been bred in captivity and, as such, not a lot of information is available on its breeding requirements.  It is an egg laying species, however, and there have been reports of female Yoyo Loaches carrying eggs.  It appears to be a very difficult species to breed.

Comments: You should keep Botia lohachata in a tank with a water current.  This species will appreciate caves and holes – the Yoyo Loach loves to hide – along with a soft, gravel substrate to simulate its natural environment.  It should be housed in at least a 20 gallon tank and given plenty of open areas in which to swim.  The Yoyo Loach will require constant water changes and a subdued level of light in the tank.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species: Botia lohachata should be kept in a shoal of three and be housed with small, peaceful fish.  You might consider housing this species many of the Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

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