All fish / Nemacheilidae

Zodiac Loach

Mesonoemacheilus triangularis

Also known as zodiac loach, batik loach, zodiac stone loach, triangular loach, nemacheilus triangularis, noemacheilus triangularis, ゾディアックローチ, 黄斑沙鳅

A slim stone loach with a yellow to golden body crossed by dark brown, often triangle-shaped bars and blotches. It is kept for its striking pattern and lively, active behaviour over gravel and rocks in cooler, fast-flowing stream setups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and biofilm grazing

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Western Ghats, southwestern India (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)

Breeding

It scatters eggs over the substrate with no parental care. Spawning in home aquariums is rarely reported, and most fish on sale are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs clean, well-oxygenated water with good flow and does poorly in warm tanks. Can squabble with its own kind over territory, so provide plenty of rocks and hiding places.