The Tropical Tank Homepage
Article Library Fish Index Tank Setups Forum Links
 
Fish Index:
Anabantids
Catfish
Characins
Cichlids
Cypriniformes
Livebearers
Rainbowfish
Misc FW
Brackish
Shrimp
A-Z list by
Common name
A-Z list by
Scientific name
 

What's New:

What's New in the Fish Index

Three new Puffer profiles.

All Updates

 
Site Map
Email
About this site
 
Find The Tropical Tank on Facebook Follow The Tropical Tank on Twitter
 
 


Dwarf Chain Loach



Picture of Dwarf Chain Loach, Ambastaia sidthimunki
Photos © Sean Evans

Common name:Dwarf Chain Loach
Scientific name:Ambastaia sidthimunki
Synonyms:Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, Botia sidthimunki
Origin:Thailand (wider distributions reported may reflect confusion with A. nigrolineata).
Size:6cm (2.5")
Recommended tank size:75 x 30cm (30 x 12") or larger.
Tank setup:Use plenty of decor to provide several refuges and a stimulating environment. This could include rocks and pebbles, driftwood and robust plants. A sand substrate is ideal, or fine smooth gravel.
Compatibility:Keep in a group of their own kind, preferably six or more. Unlikely to bother most tankmates.
Temperature:24-28oC (75-82oF)
Water chemistry:Soft to slightly hard and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.2) would be ideal.
Feeding:Feed a varied diet including flake, granular and pellet foods as well as frozen foods such as bloodworm, mysis and artemia (brine shrimp). Include some vegetable component in the diet, may nibble soft-leaved plants.
Sexing:No obvious differences, mature females are likely to have a heavier body shape.
Breeding:Bred commercially using hormones, and some hobbyist breeding has occurred, usually by 'accident' where larger groups have been kept together.
Comments: An entertaining loach that makes a great addition to a mature, partially or fully planted aquarium. A group will usually become quite bold once settled, and will swim mid-water to compete for food. Ideal companions could include rasboras, danios and smaller barb species.

 

 

Google
 

[Home] [Article Library] [Fish Index] [Tank Setups] [Forum] [Site Map]

 
 

The Tropical Tank Copyright © 2000-2022 Sean Evans This website was last updated on 20th November 2022