All fish / Botiidae

Polka-Dot Loach

Botia kubotai

Also known as polka dot loach, kubotai loach, burmese border loach, angelicus loach, kubotai botia, polkadot botia, ปลาหมูลายเสือพม่า, ボティア・クボタイ, botia kubotai, 库氏沙鳅, 斑马沙鳅

A striking loach with dark bands and blotches broken up by pale yellow or greenish spots and lines, giving a patterned, polka-dot look. It is kept for its bold colouring and lively, social behaviour, and it also helps keep pest snails in check.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °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, small snails and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar and western Thailand (Ataran and Salween basins)

Breeding

Not known to have bred in home aquariums; trade specimens are wild-caught or produced with hormones on fish farms.

Good to know

Needs well-oxygenated, flowing water, a soft sandy substrate and plenty of caves; kept singly or in pairs it can become shy or quarrelsome. Often confused with Botia rostrata and Botia histrionica, and it will eat ornamental snails and shrimp.