All fish / Botiidae

Burmese Border Loach

Botia udomritthiruji

Also known as burmese border loach, udomritthiruj's loach, banded botia, botia sp. tenasserim, ボティア・ウドムリッティルジ

A small botiid loach with a warm orange to yellowish body crossed by broad dark bars and a dark-edged tail. It is kept for its striking banding, lively social behaviour and appetite for pest snails, and it stays smaller than many of its relatives.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, snails and some vegetables

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Myanmar (Tenasserim region), possibly bordering Thailand

Breeding

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

Good to know

Needs well-oxygenated, clean water with a soft sandy bottom and plenty of hiding places, and can nip or bully timid fish if kept singly or in too small a group. Easily confused with other banded Botia species such as B. histrionica and B. rostrata.