Silver Loach

With its plain silvery gray body and orange-red fins, the silver loach looks like a more slender relative of the blue botia. Adults reach 13–15 cm. It is gentler than the skunk loach and sun loach of the same genus. When kept alone or in small numbers, however, it may become withdrawn or start harassing others.

• At least 240 liters and 120 cm of length for a group of 5–6.
• 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5; clean, well-oxygenated water and moderate flow.
• Plenty of caves, roots and gaps between stones; fine sand or rounded gravel.
• 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.

Active and social; it establishes a pecking order within the group. In a large group of at least 5–6, ideally 8–10 individuals, it causes no problems for other fish.

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

Avoid: snails, shrimp, slow long-finned fish, small and timid species.