Dwarf chain loach

Care at a glance

The dwarf chain loach from Thailand and Myanmar is the smallest botia in the hobby and owes its name to the chain-like pattern along its back. Unlike most botias it is fully active by day, which makes it a rewarding bottom dweller.

In the wild the species declined badly through over-collection and habitat loss; what you buy today is captive bred. Keep it in a group, as a lone fish becomes shy and stressed, and expect it to clear up small snails and shrimp fry.

Good to know

• Preys on shrimp and snails

Best not combined with

• Nerite snail (zebra)Neritina sp.
• Racing nerite snailVittina turrita
• Olive nerite snailNeritina reclivata
• Ramshorn snailPlanorbella duryi
• Horned nerite snailClithon corona
• Spixi snail (zebra apple snail)Asolene spixi

Related species

• Angelicus loach (polka-dot loach)Botia kubotai
• Zebra loachBotia striata
• Blue botiaYasuhikotakia modesta
• Red-tailed catfishPhractocephalus hemioliopterus
• Chocolate gouramiSphaerichthys osphromenoides
• Iridescent sharkPangasianodon hypophthalmus