Skunk Loach

The skunk loach gets its name from the thin black stripe that runs along the back of its pale cream-beige body from the snout to the caudal peduncle; the stripe ends in a vertical band at the base of the tail. Adults reach 8–10 cm, so it is close in size to the zebra loach.

Do not be fooled by its small size: it is one of the most quarrelsome botias. With a suitable group size and plenty of hiding places it can be kept without problems, but it is not suited to a calm community aquarium.

It lives in the middle and lower Mekong basin, as well as in the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong rivers in Thailand. It is found in flowing river branches, over sand and rocky bottoms, among roots and rocks.

• Volume: at least 150 liters and 120 cm of length for a group of 5–6.
• Water: 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5. A 30% water change every week.
• Flow: Moderate flow and good aeration.
• Decor: Many caves, pipes and roots. Each individual should have its own shelter; piles of stones that break lines of sight reduce fighting.
• Lid: A tight lid is essential.

An omnivore leaning toward meaty foods. Offer sinking granules and tablets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex and blanched vegetables. It hunts snails and small shrimp. It is assertive at feeding time too; spreading the food over several spots in the tank reduces squabbling and lets the timid individuals get their share.

It claims its hiding place and chases away fish that come near. It may nip long or trailing fins. This behavior increases markedly when it is kept in small numbers.

Good companions: fast, robust medium-sized fish: barbs, devarios, danios, large rasboras; other botias of similar temperament.

Avoid: snails, shrimp, long-finned species such as bettas, angelfish and guppies, slow and timid bottom dwellers.

The skunk loach should be kept with at least 5–6, preferably 8–10 individuals. In a large group the aggression is shared within the species and spills over less onto other fish. Two or three individuals is the worst option: the weaker one is constantly harassed and the stronger one turns on other fish.

There are no reliable records of it being bred in the aquarium. Those in the trade are largely collected from the wild.

• White spot: Common in new fish; quarantine is needed.
• Medication sensitivity: It has small scales; start medication at half the dose.
• Injury: Fin and scale damage after fights heals quickly in clean water; if one individual is a constant target, the group should be enlarged or more decor added.

Mature females are plumper and slightly larger. Males are slimmer; beyond that there is no reliable way to tell them apart.