Zebra Loach

[ricko10]

hi, can someone tell me how big zebra loach grow to.
thanks

 

[screamingdonkey]

hi, can someone tell me how big zebra loach grow to.
thanks

Usually up to 4".
As with all loaches of the botia genus, they should be kept in shoals (preferrably 5+).
They also like several hiding places in my experience - but end up making one hideout their favourite/home

 

[loachman]

hi, can someone tell me how big zebra loach grow to.
thanks

Usually up to 4".
As with all loaches of the botia genus, they should be kept in shoals (preferrably 5+).
They also like several hiding places in my experience - but end up making one hideout their favourite/home

yup. i've seen some places list sizes a bit bigger...but 4 inches seems to be commonly accepted length.

 

[ricko10]

ok cool. also how do you tell what sex it is and are they likely to breed?

 

[geo7x]

http/www.fishforums.net/Zebra-Loaches-t34949.html

i think sexing is near impossible from external viewing, and breeding is virtually unheard of in captivity (not entirely unheard of im sure though), like most botias.

 

[loachman]

don't expect to breed them. they don't do it in captivity/aquariums.

if you really want to try, you'll probably need to simulate a monsoon season and do some hormone treatments. this is speculation though.

 

[Lateral Line]

Almost all of the "commonly accepted" sizes for loaches are understated. The fish are sensitive, and rarely live long enough to acheive their full potential. The "Dwarf Loach", (B. sidthimunki), is often stated as growing to 60-70mm, but their was a picture of a 100mm specimem at loaches a while ago.

B. striata is most often called the Zebra Loach, this will easily reach 100mm, and as stated above, should be kept in groups. As with most Botias, they tend to grow to about 75% full size very quickly, then slow down. The last few mm can take years to obtain.