Edit Botia striata
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Name
Scientific name
Botia striata
Described by
Authority Narayan Rao, Year 1920
Family
Botiidae
Summary
The zebra loach, Botia striata, is a botiid loach from the Krishna River system in southern India, described from the Tunga River in Karnat…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
90mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 21–26°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
1–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries
India
Supporting text
Etymology
From the Latin striatus, meaning 'striated' or 'striped' in reference to this species' colour pattern.
Distribution
Described from the Tunga River in Karnataka (previously Mysore) state, southern India. The Tunga rises in the Western Ghats mountain range and is a tributary o…
Habitat
In a survey of fish diversity in the Bhadra River (which joins the Tunga to form the Tungabhadra) it was recorded alongside numerous other species including Pu…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 in 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
Peaceful but don't keep it with much smaller fishes as they may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour. Slow-moving, long-finned specie…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are normally plumper than males and often appear to fill with eggs.
Reproduction
Not known to have been bred in the hobby as with the majority of botiid loaches though some, including B. striata, are being produced on a commercial basis via…
Notes
This species is perhaps the best choice of Botia sp. for the general community given its adult size and peaceable nature. Following Grant (2007) it's included …
References
References
11 on this profile