Emperor Botia

The emperor botia is a species that lives in only a single river basin in southern Myanmar and was introduced to science in 2007. Its body, which ranges between golden yellow and light brown, carries five broad dark bands. What sets it apart from the golden zebra loach is that these bands remain broad and undivided in adulthood too. Adults reach 13–15 cm. When kept alone or in small numbers it becomes withdrawn; the play and clicking behavior typical of botias appears in a large group.

• At least 240 liters and 120 cm of length for a group of 5–6.
• 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5, soft water; clean and well oxygenated.
• Roots, rounded stones, caves; a fine sand substrate.
• A tight lid is essential; it jumps.

An omnivore leaning toward meaty foods. Offer sinking granules and tablets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex and blanched vegetables. It hunts snails.

It is not aggressive but is curious and active; it may frighten very small fish and nip the long fins of slow species.

Good companions: barbs, devarios, danios, large rasboras and tetras, other medium-sized botias.

Avoid: snails, shrimp, slow long-finned fish, nano species.