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Genus

Sinibotia

Species
4
Photographed
4 of 4
Difficulty rated
4 of 4
Adult, probably female, specimen.

Sinibotia pulchraGolden Zebra Loach

Wu, 1939

Max length
110mm SL4in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
20–25.5°C68–78°F
pH
6.5–8.0

This species is also sold under the vernacular names 'golden Chinese loach' and '12-banded Chinese loach'. Along with S. robusta it's the most commonly-traded member of the genus, and the two are often imported in mixed batches, presumably because they occur and are thus collected together in nature. Like most congeners it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe. S. pulchra can be differentiated from...

Easy
This species is exceptionally rare in the trade.

Sinibotia reevesae

Chang, 1944

Max length
95mm SL3.7in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
20–25.5°C68–78°F
pH
6.5–8.0

This species not often seen in the aquarium trade and is apparently rare in its natural waters, with the occasional individual imported as bycatch in shipments of S. pulchra or S. robusta, or by private collectors. Like others in the genus it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe. It's told apart from congeners by the following combination of chara...

Easy
A typically-patterned subadult of the age and size at which this species is usually offered for sale.

Sinibotia robustaKansu Loach

Wu, 1939

Max length
100mm SL3.9in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
20–25.5°C68–78°F
pH
6.5–8.0

This species is also sold under the vernacular names 'golden Chinese loach' and '12-banded Chinese loach'. Along with S. pulchra it's the most commonly-traded member of the genus, and the two are often imported in mixed batches, presumably because they occur and are thus collected together in nature.

Easy
Subadult specimen.

Sinibotia superciliaris

Günther, 1892

Max length
110mm SL4in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
20–25.5°C68–78°F
pH
6.5–8.0

This species is rarely-seen in the trade due to a relative lack of commercial exports from the middle Yangtze basin. It looks very similar to S. pulchra but can be told apart by the fact it lacks irregular, brownish markings and spots on the side of the head (vs. present in S. pulchra), and like most congeners it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe.

Easy