Zebra loach
Botia striata
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Recommended tank
- 150 L
- Maximum size
- 9 cm
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Group size
- ≥ 5
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The zebra loach from the Western Ghats in India is finely marked with narrow dark stripes over an olive-yellow ground. It stays smaller and is considerably calmer than most botias, which makes it a pleasant bottom fish for a community tank.
It is a genuinely social animal: kept alone it turns shy and you will hardly see it. Give it a soft substrate and plenty of hiding places, and bear in mind that it eats snails, including the ornamental ones you wanted to keep.
Good to know
Best not combined with
Related species
Keep Zebra loach in the BlubHub app
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.