Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Polka Dot Loach, Angelicus Loach |
| Scientific name: | Botia kubotai |
| Synonyms: | |
| Origin: | Salween River Basin, Myanmar and Thailand. |
| Size: | Up to 15cm (6") |
| Recommended tank size: | 122 x 38cm (48 x 15") or larger. |
| Tank setup: | Sand would be an ideal substrate, followed by fine smooth gravel. Use stones and pebbles to vary the aquascape and provide a stimulus to explore. Plants could be included, but bright
lighting is unnecessary, so floating or tall overhanging plants could be used to provide shaded areas. |
| Compatibility: | Keep in a group of 5-6 or more individuals. Not generally aggressive, although it could nip the fins of long-finned and slow-moving fish such as male Guppies and Bettas. |
| Temperature: | 23-28oC (73-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Soft to slightly hard, pH 6.0 - 7.6. |
| Feeding: | Feed a varied diet including bloodworm, brine shrimp (Artemia), mysis, etc, plus sinking granules, preferably including some vegetable component. |
| Sexing: | No obvious differences, mature females are likely to have a heavier body shape. |
| Breeding: | Unknown |
| Comments: |
This strikingly patterned loach is a relatively recent introduction to the aquarium hobby, and was know under a variety of common names before it was formally described. When kept in groups, some sparring may occur as
a pecking order is established, but this is not likely to result in harm or serious stress, and will be minimised by keeping in a reasonable sized group.
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