Common Name/s: Zebra Loaches.

Scientific name: Botia Striata.

Family: Cobitidae.

Origin: Southern India, Tunga river system.

Maximum Size: 3".

Care: Zebra Loaches have no special requirements. A tank size of 36 inches with a fine substrate like sand is prefered as they are continually searching for food using their barbels. Like most Botias tehy will make considerable indents on any snail population and can therefore come in very handy. Zebra are best kept in a group, they cna be semi-aggressive sometimes. Provide plenty of hiding places as you would with most Loaches. Generally suited to most community tanks but be warned there are reports of some semi-aggressive behavior towards other bottom dwellers but it is unlikely.

Feeding: Will readily except most foods, be sure to provide a varied diet of frozen and commmercailly prepared foods.

Sexing and Breeding - Little or nothing is known about the breeding of this fish. No reports of captive breeding.

Comments - A nice little fish with a great character. When you have settled a group into your tank they will endlessly roam the tank providing constant action.