Skunk Loach

The skunk loach is shaped like a slug, as opposed to the more slender kubotai and yo-yo loaches. Also in the botia family, these loaches only grow to 2 inches and like to pal around and chase each other in the fish tank. The skunk loach, also called the mouse loach for its size and shape, is a bottom dweller and effective scavenger, but it is a good idea to drop in some sinking pellets a couple of times each week.

In the wild, skunk loaches inhabit rocky crevices along smaller rivers of Cambodia and Thailand.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them many caves, rocks and driftwood so each loach can claim its own spot, a soft sand or smooth gravel bottom and good filtration. Keep a lid on the tank.

Feeding: Feed sinking pellets or wafers once or twice a day so food reaches the bottom. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. They also eat pest snails.

Tankmates: Keep them with robust, fast fish of similar or larger size, such as barbs, danios, rainbowfish and semi-aggressive cichlids. Avoid slow, long-finned fish and other bottom dwellers that can't hold their own. They eat snails and shrimp.

Good to know: These loaches are bold and territorial; adding them last to an established tank with plenty of caves helps keep the peace.