Edit Yasuhikotakia morleti
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Name
Scientific name
Yasuhikotakia morleti
Described by
Authority Tirant, Year 1885, Bracketed
Family
Botiidae
Common names
Skunk Loach
Photograph credits
All 5 credited
Summary
The skunk loach, Yasuhikotakia morleti, is a botiid loach from the middle and lower Mekong and the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong drainages of T…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
85mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 23–28°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Mekong, Mun
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Described from a tributary of the lower Mekong River system in Samraong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, but since recorded throughout the middl…
Habitat
According to Rainboth (1996) this species can be found in both standing and flowing waters where it exists among crevices between or digs underneath rocks and …
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 chiefly carnivorous they will also eat vegetative matter if available, often including soft-leaved aquatic plants. The naturalk…
Behaviour and compatibility
Although Y. morleti displays similar behaviour to most other members of the genus it can be combative, tending to nip fins and generally harass tankmates, espe…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied and grow a little larger than males.
Reproduction
Some Yasuhikotakia species, including Y. morleti, are farmed commercially for the hobby via the use of hormones but reports of breeding by private aquarists ar…
Notes
This species is common in the hobby and also sold as 'skunk botia' or 'Hora's loach', the latter in reference to Botia horae Smith, 1931, currently considered …
References
References
14 on this profile