How to Identify and Care for Dwarf Loach Fish

Also known as the dwarf chained loach, the dwarf loach fish (botia sidthimunki) belongs to the family Cyprinidae. The dwarf loach is a peaceful, shoaling species that is native to the streams of Thailand and Cambodia. It is an active, bottom-level swimmer that will often venture into the midlevel, especially when there is a water flow.

Things You'll Need

• 24-gallon tank Dwarf loach fish, one or more Filter, heater and pump Basic test kits Fish food Aquarium decorations

Instructions

Identify a Dwarf Loach fish

1. 

   Identify the dwarf chained loach by its light metallic-gold coloration, which is overlaid with a dark, distinctive "chain link" pattern. This pattern is born along the top half of its eel-like body, with silvery-white coloring below the chain-link marking midway down its flanks.

2. Note that it has a long, eel-like body with a very slightly arched dorsal surface and a flattened ventral surface. The fins are clear, but the caudal fin may have a dark patterning in each lobe. It grows up to 2.5 to 3 inches in length.

3. Look out for a relatively small head with eyes that are gold-rimmed. There are three pairs of barbells beside its mouth.

Ideal Tank Conditions

1. Purchase a 24-gallon or larger aquarium tank for the dwarf chained loach. Clean the tank and then fill it with room-temperature water. Before putting in your dwarf loach fish, let the water sit 24 hours.

2. Install your filter and heater in the aquarium. Set the heater at 79 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 28 degrees Celsius).

3. Use a freshwater test kit to maintain water conditions at a slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 and water hardness at a dH of 8.

4. Spread your gravel in the tank. Dwarf loaches appreciate a well-planted aquarium, so include a few plants in your tank decoration. Installing a powerhead to provide a water flow will make it even more like their natural habitat.

5. Provide your dwarf loach with some company. They are schooling fish and should be kept in community tanks of at least five other dwarf loaches. Do not, however, keep them in the same tank as aggressive fish species, which will steal their food and harm them.

6. Feed your dwarf loach with flake food, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, bloodworms and some vegetables. Limit the amounts you feed the fish to only as much food as the fish can eat within 5 minutes.

Resources

• How to Clean a Fish Tank, from eHow
• How to Acclimate New Fish Using the Float Method, from eHow
• How to Acclimate New Fish Using the Drip Method, from eHow