Dwarf Loach

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Scientific Name

Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki

Min. Tank Size

25 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

74-86°F

pH

6.0-7.5/2-12°dGH

Size

2.5"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept with a minimum of 6 of its own species; can be kept with Rasboras, Danios, Catfish and other Loaches.

Dwarf Loach

Though once rare in the aquarium hobby, the Dwarf Loach is now readily available and fairly popular among aquarium hobbyists. These fish are also known by the names Dwarf Chain Loach, Dwarf Botia and Chipmunk Loach. Dwarf Loaches are often confused with Black-Lined Loaches because they exhibit a similar black and silver patterning. The bodies of Dwarf Loaches are ornamented by two dark lateral stripes broken up numerous pale vertical bars. Dwarf Loaches are native to Thailand but have also been found in parts of Laos and Cambodia. In their natural habitat, these loaches are most often found in slow-flowing waters with sandy substrate and plenty of submerged vegetation.

Tank Set-Up

Like all loaches, Dwarf Loaches thrive best in a well-structured tank. Because they remain fairly small, this species is one of the few loaches recommended for a planted tank. Dwarf Loaches prefer diffused lighting and do best in tanks that provide some degree of water flow. Because these fish are likely to squeeze into small gaps to hide, tank decorations should not have any sharp edges that could injure the fish and should not have any gaps or holes small enough that the fish could become trapped.

Feeding

Dwarf Loaches are carnivorous by nature but will also eat vegetable matter if they come across it in the wild. To promote good health and coloration, offer your loaches a staple diet of high-quality sinking foods supplemented with plenty of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, Artemia and Daphnia. These fish will also benefit from some fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet.

Breeding

Most specimens of this species available in the aquarium trade have been commercially farmed through the use of hormones. There are no known reports of breeding this species successfully by private hobbyists, possibly because Dwarf Loaches are migratory species and such a condition is difficult to replicate in the the home aquarium.