All fish / Botiidae

Bengal Loach

Botia dario

Also known as queen loach, bengal botia, dario loach, royal loach, bengal tiger loach, botia dario, ボティア・ダリオ, 孟加拉国鼠鱼, 皇后沙鳅

A golden yellow loach crossed by six to seven bold, slanting dark bars, with a pointed snout and small barbels. It is kept for its striking colours and lively, sociable behaviour, and it also helps keep snail numbers down.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, snails and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India, Bangladesh and Bhutan (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

It has not been bred reliably in home aquariums. Fish in the trade come from wild collection or from hormone-induced spawning on fish farms.

Good to know

Kept alone or in pairs it can become shy or bully tankmates, so keep a proper group and avoid slow fish with long fins. It is often confused with the similar Botia rostrata and Botia histrionica.