All fish / Botiidae

Burmese Border Loach

Botia histrionica

Also known as burmese loach, golden zebra loach, histrionica loach, burmese border botia, zebra botia, botia histrionica, ボティア・ヒストリオニカ, 缅甸沙鳅, 黄金斑马沙鳅

A golden yellow loach with dark brown saddles and bars that break up as it ages, giving each fish a distinct pattern. It is kept for its lively, social behaviour and its habit of eating pest snails.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 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, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, snails, vegetables

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar and northeastern India (Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy and Salween basins)

Breeding

Not bred in home aquariums; trade fish are wild caught or produced in commercial farms using hormones.

Good to know

Needs a well-oxygenated tank with a current, smooth substrate and plenty of hiding places; fish squabble within the group and may nip slow, long-finned tankmates. Often confused with Botia almorhae and Botia kubotai.