All fish / Botiidae

Tiger Loach

Syncrossus hymenophysa

Also known as tiger botia, banded loach, hymenophysa loach, botia hymenophysa, tiger loach botia, ikan pasir, タイガーローチ, botia macan, ikan langli, 虎纹鳅, 虎皮鼠

A large, active botiid loach with a greenish yellow body crossed by narrow dark bars with pale edges, and a forked tail. It is kept for its bold character and its appetite for pest snails in big riverine community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, shrimp, snails and other live foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sumatra, Borneo and western Java (Indonesia); records from Malaysia and Thailand often refer to related species

Breeding

There are no confirmed reports of spawning in home aquariums. Fish in the trade are caught wild or produced on farms with hormone injections.

Good to know

It grows large and can become quarrelsome, so keep it in a big group with robust tankmates and plenty of caves. Several similar Syncrossus species, such as S. berdmorei and S. helodes, are often sold under the same name.