Edit Botia histrionica
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Name
Scientific name
Botia histrionica
Described by
Authority Blyth, Year 1860
Family
Botiidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 14 credited
Summary
Known in the trade as the 'Burmese loach', Botia histrionica is a botiid loach from Myanmar, Manipur in India and Yunnan, China. Young fish…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
130mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Ataran, Ayeyarwady, Salween, Sittaung
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Recorded from the Indian state of Manipur, Yunnan Province, China (upper Ayeyarwady River basin), and throughout much of Myanmar including the Ayeyarwady, Sitt…
Habitat
We've been unable to obtain definitive information thus far but this species occurs sympatrically with B. kubotai in the Ataran River. Images we've seen depict…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered.
Maintenance
All botiids need a well-structured set-up although the actual choice of décor is more-or-less down to personal taste. A natural-style arrangement could include…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
While Botia spp. appear to be chiefly carnivorous they will also eat vegetative matter if available, often including soft-leaved aquatic plants. The natural di…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not especially aggressive but don't keep it with much smaller fishes as they may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour. Slow-moving, l…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied than males with a rounded snout, whereas males have an elongated snout with noticeably fleshier lips.
Reproduction
Not known to have been bred in the hobby as with the majority of botiid loaches though some, including B. histrionica, are being produced on a commercial basis…
Notes
This species is traded under various names including 'Burmese loach', 'golden zebra loach', 'Asian loach' and 'Burmese zebra loach'. Following Grant (2007) it'…
References
References
10 on this profile