You will find The Skunk Loach in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand in northern India. Despite its size, the skunk loach can become a very aggressive fish and is usually not suitable for community aquariums. These include all members of the genus Syncrossus and most members of the genus Yasuhikotakia. So four would need a minimum tank size of 70 gallons. Lifespan. Its habitats are waters with slow flow or impounded waters, so it can be said that the fish doesn’t like water flows presence. However, they must be offered a varied diet containing high quality dried products like flakes and granules as well as live or frozen fare such as bloodworm, tubifex and artemia plus fresh vegetables and fruit such as cucumber, courgette, blanched spinach and melon. Taking care of them is extremely easy. The length of the loach hardly grows of 3-4 inches. Botia almorhae was first described in 1920. It feeds mainly on insects and water plants can be eaten, too. Skunk Loaches are best kept with other sizeable, hardy fish, or in a larger community of other loaches. Zebra loaches are peaceful and prefer to live in small shoals that typically cruise the tank together. Thee uncommon dwarf sized loaches are native to the south of China. This is used to work out the maximum size of fish suited to your tank 4) Enter your tanks volume. This Skunk Loach is an evenly creamy-tan to light brown colour. A true dwarf loach that grow to a max size of around 2" - 2.4" or so. While most Loaches prey on aquatic snails, you should never consider these the answer to an infestation since they are not molluscivores. It is considered pretty and easily distinguished from all others. fish tanks are art. Same sized fish or the smaller ones are considered to be the ideal tank mates of this fish. It is relatively difficult to differentiate males from females; however, sexually mature females usually grow a little larger than males and typically are fuller-bodied. they got along fine as well. I picked up some cichlids yesterday from a wholesaler, they look great so far, and i also picked up a yo yo and 2 clown loaches. I feed them this sinking shrimp pellets made by omega one. White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Oto Catfish and shrimps like the Red Cherry Shrimp are also good tank mates. They can be kept with other tank mates, but it is most beneficial to have just one of this species, especially in a smaller aquarium. Always compare the recommended temperature ranges first just to be safe! Finely chopped earthworm can also provide a useful source of protein but should be given sparingly. The species inhabits freshwater in slow-moving water of streams or rivers. Orange-finned danio (extra aeration & aquarium cover required) White cloud mountain minnow; Zebra danio; Potentially good tankmates These fish sound like they could be good axolotl tankmates in theory, but I have not tried them personally, or they did not work for me, for various reasons. Backwaters, ponds, lakes are typical habitats for yoyo loach. Tinfoil barbs are other suitable tank mates. These fish migrate into flooded plains during the monsoon season where they breed and the fry stay for the beginning of their life, later migrating back to the rivers when the tributaries recede. Breeding They are more active at night than during the day but are still more active during the day than most members of the loach family. In the right tank, with the right tankmates, the Skunk Loach is an active and bold little fish which will scavenge and dig around the aquarium. Juveniles usually have dark vertical striping on the sides, but this disappears as they mature. In a larger tank groups of at least 6 or more will be needed to keep aggression down. Tiger Botia grow large, some up to 25 cm (10 in), so be sure to provide them with ample space. Besides aggression, the main thing you’ll want to look for in a tank mate is temperature preference. For each Yoyo in your tank you need to add 10-15 gallons per fish. 1) This area is used for working out your fish tank stocking levels, and saving details 2) You can name your 'fishtank' here. Can be kept with other moderately aggressive species such as Yasuhikotakia eos, Y. lecontei, Y. modesta and many of the Syncrossus (Tiger loach) species. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, breeding, health, behavior, housing, care, and more! You will get a wide variety of tank mates for this. They inhabit both still and fast-moving waters of medium to large rivers where they will spend most of its time in cracks or holes under submerged objects or rock. Bengal danio (extra aeration & aquarium cover required) Suitable tank mates for the skunk botia include larger cichlid … hey, i had a skunk loach until recently. Other smaller fish and bottom feeders in the tank may be attacked or killed. Such a wide distribution first of all is due to broad commercialisation of the fish in aquarium husbandry… they represent the imagination of their owner, and one's desire to create something beautiful that enriches its environment. Ideal tank mates would also include loaches from the Tiger Botia group, (now known as Syncrossus sp), such as S. hymenophysa, S. helodes, and S. berdmorei. Date Added: 10/16/2020 - Updated: 10/16/2020 8:41:46 PM. They do good in shoals of 5 or more and add much activity to any tank once well accustomed to their new home! A number of botiid loaches are well known for aggression towards conspecifics and sometimes other tank mates. However, they are farmed commercially for the hobby via the use of hormones. is not in any way affiliated with. when i originally bought my skunk loach i kept him with my two dwarf gourami in a 10 gal tank. Yoyo Loach Care - Tank Mates other Bottom Feeders? hey, i had a skunk loach until recently. Other smaller fish and bottom feeders will likely be attacked or killed. It is best to have just one of this species in a small community aquarium, however this loach will be much more shy if kept singly. There is also a broad dark band surrounding the base of the tail. As of yet there are no reported cases of Syncrossus berdmorei breeding in the aquarium. It is a spirited fish, and though generally peaceful it can become aggressive towards its own species, especially if there are not sufficient hiding places. It is very peaceful with dwarf shrimp, has a very active and outgoing personality, and is very hardy in a mature aquarium that is rich in algae and biofilm. It looks just like any other loach in the Botia family with its distinctive mouth and body shape. Unfortunately, not enough is known about the breeding habits of the Skunk Loach as they are not yet bred commercially mainly because they are seasonal, migratory spawners in the wild. You can keep these loaches in groups, although they are just as happy when kept alone, spending their time foraging in the substrate and among your plants. This fish is very long-lived, hardy and an undemanding little fish. The Skunk Loach is considered one of the smaller of the Botias. Generally speaking, they are not aggressive and can be kept with many other species. The fish is endemic to such areas as Siberia, Sakhalin island, Korea, Japan, China, North Vietnam and possibly Laos (as for the latter we don’t know for sure if the fish used to live there initially or it was brought there). This fish is generally peaceful until and unless any aggressive fish attacks it. The skunk loach looks just like a skunk with its long black stripe on its back, hence the name skunk loach. But there will need to be at least six to spread out aggression throughout the tank. Cichlid tank mates - Skunk loach? Skunk loach; Angelicus Loach; Clown Loach (clown loaches are not Botia BUT can be aggressive and can grow to a large size) Be sure to avoid loaches with the classification ‘Botia’. They are a beautiful fish with shimmering golden-brown bodies, a black mid-dorsal stripe from head to tail, and a spotted caudal fin. Tank-mates must be robust and fast-swimming. Venomous: No Tank Details. Skunk Loaches will adapt to a wide range of water conditions, although medium-soft water is preferred. The Panda Loach (Yaoshania pachychilus) is a very rare freshwater loach that is native to Southern China. Complete Tank Packages; Choose Your Fish; Fish & Tank Packages; FREE Tank Deal! Its distinguishing feature has to be the dark stripe moving across its back from the tip of its nose to its caudal fin. Despite being seen frequently in the aquarium trade, it is a very aggressive fish and not suitable for community aquarium tanks. If you are logged in you can save up to 10 different fishtank lists 3) Enter the length of your tank. Clownfish are no different. i kept him im my 20 gal listed below, before i had the leopard bushfish and clown pleco. Interesting facts about Zebra Loach. The Skunk Loach spends most of the day hiding but will become more active at dusk. Provide them with a softer substrate because they like to burrow. A forum community dedicated to Aquarium owners and enthusiasts. The expected life span for Syncrossus berdmorei is 5-8 years. Having the right fish together means you will have a happy community. Be sure that the decor offers a retreat for each fish. i loved that little fish, he was a joy to have. 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