SKUNK LOACH (YASUHIKOTAKIA MORLETI)

Care: Keep in a fairly sizeable aquarium, and ensure that the substrate is fine and sandy in order to protect the delicate sensory barbel area. Provide plenty of hiding places in the aquarium amongst bogwood, caves, and plants. Clean, well-aerated water is a must.

Feeding: Will accept most brands of dry sinking catfish pellets, but should be offered a variety of frozen foods to supplement the diet – mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, and daphnia are usually taken with much enthusiasm. In the wild, this species feeds on mollusks, and as can probably be deduced, is a very effective snail eater.

Water parameters: pH: 7.0 or below. Hardness: Soft and slightly acidic is best. Max dH: <12 degrees.

Temperature: 79ºF to 86ºF (26-30°C)

Breeding: Not known to have been bred in aquaria.

Considering its relatively diminutive size, this is a very feisty loach species, which is not suitable for community aquariums. Must be maintained in groups of 5 or more in order to spread any aggression and to allow the fish to form a natural hierarchy.