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Loaches
/ Botiinae / Skunk Loach
Skunk Loach, Hora's Loach
Botia morleti | Pictures
Synonyms:
Botia horae
Physical description: An elongated fish with lateral compression and a flat belly profile.
The back is arched and the caudal fin
is forked.
The head is pointed and three pairs of barbels are present around the mouth which faces downward.
The
body is pale yellow-white, and sometimes a greenish sheen is present.
The belly is lighter.
A black stripe begins at the tip of
the snout and runs along the ridge of the back to the caudal fin.
The flanks are marked with four bars,
although these are usually indistinct.
The caudal penuncle is marked with an obvious black band.
The
base of the caudal fin has black markings, while the remaining part is yellowish.
The other fins lack color.
Size/Length: To 4" (10 cm)
Similar species:
Habitat: Southeast Asia; Thailand
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 24" (61 cm) with a capacity from 10-20 gallons (38-76 L) is
sufficient.
Provide a fine gravel substrate and use wood, rocks, an over-turned flower pot, or roots to serve
as hiding places.
Use sturdy plants as this species is a burrower.
A cover of floating plants is recommended
to diffuse the lighting and make the fish feel more comfortable.
Provide a flat stone for the fish to rest, and
use a filter that creates a moderately strong current.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7 (6.6), 1-6 dH (5), 79-86°F (26-30°C)
Social behavior: A crepuscular species which often remains hidden during the day.
A fine community scavenger that is most
active in groups of five or more.
Provide at least one retreat for each fish.
Will gently defend its hiding place
from other fish.
Suggested companions: Gouramis, barbs, tetras, peaceful cichlids from South America
FOOD: Live; worms, insect larvae, crustaceans; tablets.
A bottom feeder.
SEX: Unknown
Breeding techniques: Unknown
Breeding potential: 10.
No reports of spawning in captivity are available.
Remarks: This species requires frequent partial water changes to prosper.
This
Botia is less territorial than others of
its genus.
Difficulty of care: 4.
A fish fit for a well-maintained community tank.
Its diet should include live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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