Edit Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata
Described by
Authority Taki & Doi, Year 1995, Bracketed
Family
Botiidae
Common names
Speckle-tailed Loach
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The speckle-tailed loach, Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata, is a botiid loach described from the Mekong drainage in Laos, near Pakse and Vientia…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
100mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 23–30°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Laos, Mekong
Writing
Etymology
The Latin caudipunctata refers to the caudal-fin of this species which contains many small spots.
Distribution
Described from the Mekong river drainage in Laos with the type series collected from close to the city of Pakse, Champasak province and further north near the …
Habitat
Unconfirmed but presumably a riverine loach favouring clear, well-oxygenated, running water with substrates of rocks and/or gravel. Similar members of the genu…
Aquarium size
For long-term maintenance an aquarium with base measurements of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest 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 Yasuhikotakia spp. appear to be chiefly carnivorous by nature they will also eat vegetative matter if available, often including soft-leaved aquatic plan…
Behaviour and compatibility
Several SF members have experience with this species and all report it to be milder in temperament than some congeners. That said slow-moving or long-finned fi…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied and grow a little larger than males.
Reproduction
No reports of breeding in private aquaria exist but some Yasuhikotakia species are farmed commercially for the hobby via the use of hormones (Y. caudipunctata …
Notes
This specie is relatively rare in the aquarium trade and much sought after by enthusiasts as a result. It looks relatively similar to Y. splendida but can be t…
References
References
12 on this profile