GOLDEN LOACH (BOTIA ROBUSTA)

The Botia robusta, commonly known as the golden loach, is a popular species in the aquarium hobby due to its striking appearance and active nature. Here’s a bit more about them:

Physical Description:

• Color: The golden loach is usually a rich golden-yellow, sometimes with black markings or patterns, particularly around the tail or dorsal fins. Their vibrant color makes them stand out in any aquarium.

• Size: They can grow up to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm), so they do best in spacious aquariums.

• Body Shape: Similar to other loaches, they have a long, slender body with a slightly compressed shape. Their fins are often adorned with attractive patterns.

Behavior:

• Active: Golden loaches are quite active and curious, often seen exploring the aquarium substrate. They’re bottom dwellers and spend much of their time foraging for food.

• Social: They are peaceful but should be kept in groups of at least 3-4 individuals. They can be somewhat shy around larger, aggressive tankmates, so it’s important to choose their companions wisely.

• Nocturnal: They are more active during the night, so you might see them out and about after the lights in your tank go off.

Habitat:

• Tank Setup: They thrive in well-planted aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and soft, sandy substrate (as they are known to dig around a bit).

• Water Parameters: They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.5) and temperatures around 75-85°F (24-29°C).

• Filtration: As loaches tend to produce a fair amount of waste, a good filtration system is necessary to maintain water quality.

Feeding:

• Golden loaches are omnivores, and they’ll eat a variety of foods including sinking pellets, algae wafers, live foods, and frozen options like bloodworms and brine shrimp. They also enjoy grazing on biofilm and detritus.

Care Level:

• Moderate. While they’re not extremely difficult to care for, their specific needs regarding tank size, water quality, and social setup should be met for them to thrive.