Loaches

These fish come from two families: Cobitidae and Balitoridae. There are almost 500 species. They come from Eurasia and Morocco. The Loaches are said to announce climate change, and it's partly true. Pressure changes affect them. Their swim bladder is surrounded by spines. When the pressure varies, the volume of their swim bladder changes, causing them to release bubbles or come out to the surface for air. They live on the bottom of the aquarium, spend a lot of time hiding among rocks or under the substrate. It is an ideal species for dedicated observers.

Dwarf Botia

Botia sidthimunki

Also known as Dwarf Loach. It is native to Thailand and northern India. In its natural habitat it develops a maximum size of 5 cm, as well as in captivity in the aquarium. It lives in waters with temperatures ranging from 22 to 28° C and pH levels between 6 and 6.5. The hardness of the water must not exceed 10°. Cobitides are all omnivorous fish, which in aquariums adapt well to dry food. It is also desirable to supplement your diet with frozen food, plant matter and live food, such as small invertebrates.

The Dwarf Loach is a very active but quiet fish with its companions. It is ideal for populating large densely planted community aquariums . It is advisable to have them in schools, from 6 to 10 fish, since almost everything is done in a group. They eat, rest and explore the bottom of the aquarium as a whole. Sometimes they tend to tear off plants that are poorly attached to the substrate. They are ovíparous, although they rarely reproduce in captivity. Give them broad-leaved plants so they can rest there.

Kuhli

He is also known as Loach Kuhli. It lives in Southeast Asia, where it develops a maximum size of 10 cm. It lives in waters with temperatures ranging from 23 to 30° C and pH levels are usually between 6 and 6.5. The hardness of the water must not exceed 10°. Cobitides are all omnivorous fish, which in aquariums adapt well to dry food. It is also desirable to supplement your diet with frozen food, plant matter and live food, such as small invertebrates.

It is a strong fish, it adapts well to the aquarium, especially in slightly acidic and soft waters. It is very important that the gravel in the substrate is thin and rounded, as it usually buries its body between the small stones. Carefully illuminate the aquarium, not very intensely. The abundance of plants is very favorable for the Kuhli. As for its reproduction, it is known to be oviparous but almost never reproduces in the aquarium.

Macracanta Botia

Botia macracanthus

© Adrián Blanco 2005 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —

by Adrian Blanco