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Freshwater fishZebra Loach
Zebra Loach
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The zebra loach, also called by a few perfectionists the Botia striata, has zebra-patterned lines, or "striations", along the length of the body. These loaches are peaceful, active aquatic pets.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Botia striata |
| Origin | Western Ghats, India |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful to semi-aggressive (squabbles with its own kind) |
| Adult Size | Up to 3–4" |
| Lifespan | 8–15 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (bottom feeder; eats snails) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Group Size | Does best in a group |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 1" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Botia loaches are active bottom dwellers. Give a group plenty of caves, driftwood and rockwork to claim, 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. Botia loaches also eat pest snails.
Tankmates: They do well with most community fish of similar size, such as barbs, danios, rasboras, gouramis and larger tetras. They will eat snails and may eat small shrimp.
Good to know: Botia loaches "click" when they feed or squabble, and they sometimes rest on their sides, which is normal behavior.
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