This article is really interesting, and worth a read! I'm glad you linked it,
@Slaphppy7 thank you! I didn't realise that they could have a lifespan of 15 years, for example!
Sad to see that they're another fish that is being eradicated in the wild due to their rivers being dammed and likely due to pollution too. That most/all come from being farmed and artificially spawned.
Glad it confirmed my thoughts about the set-up it would need, my instinct from the size and shape of the fish was that it would really suit a rocky, river type set up and at least 50-60g. They really are a big fish, and shaped to swim fast, which makes sense if they travel to spawning grounds.
What surprised me is that SF said:
"there exist reports of apparent alliances with other species such as
Chromobotia macracanthus. We’re unsure if these behavioural differences are indicative of gender but at any rate loaches from the genera
Chromobotia,
Botia,
Syncrossus and
Yasuhikotakia do seem to be left in peace"
With all the warnings about them going after torpedo shaped fish, I would have thought botiid loaches would have been a no no. Odd that it's usually fine with botia! It seems to recognise that they're not the same family/not in competition I guess. SF does warn against keeping it with:
"congenerics and members of
Crossocheilus,
Garra and
Gyrinocheilus, for example, tend to be attacked constantly."
Since that covers a lot of fish, definitely easier to sum it up as not being good with torpedo shaped fish and other bottom dwellers. I'd honestly be nervous about even trying one with a group of botiid loaches, if I were to ever create a set-up with both in mind. But, that won't be happening! I've been a shark owner for three weeks, and that's enough for me.

I'd love a huge tank with a big group of botiid loaches one day though. But not clowns. I think clowns are over-rated, honestly. So many other gorgeous botia species that aren't as valued.