Angelicus loach (polka-dot loach)

Care at a glance

The angelicus loach stands out immediately with its golden body and irregular black blotches — a pattern no other botia shares quite like it. It is more active by day than most twilight-loving botias, though hiding spots remain essential.

Like other botias it is a keen snail-eater, great against an outbreak but risky for wanted snails and shrimp. Keep it in a group of at least five to spread the pecking order instead of it fixing on a single tankmate.

Good to know

• Preys on shrimp and snails

Best not combined with

• Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi
• Nerite snail (zebra)Neritina sp.
• Mystery snailPomacea bridgesii
• Ramshorn snailPlanorbella duryi

Related species

• Blue botiaYasuhikotakia modesta
• Dwarf chain loachAmbastaia sidthimunki
• Chocolate gouramiSphaerichthys osphromenoides
• Zebra loachBotia striata
• Kissing gouramiHelostoma temminkii
• Red-tailed catfishPhractocephalus hemioliopterus