Bengal Loach care guide
Bengal Loach (Botia dario) — minimum tank 120 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Bengal Loach (Botia dario), also called the Queen Loach, is a medium-sized botiid from the Brahmaputra and Ganges drainages. Its body shows alternating dark and pale vertical bars on a yellowish background.
Taxonomy
- Family: Botiidae
- Genus: Botia
- Scientific name: Botia dario
- Common synonyms: Queen Loach, Necktie Loach
Habitat
Native to swift, clear streams and rivers of north-eastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, often in habitats with rocky substrates and submerged wood.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L (31.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-15 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- School size: ≥5 individuals
Diet
An omnivore. Offer sinking pellets, granules and a variety of small live or frozen foods. The species also consumes snails.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive social loach that should be kept in groups of at least five. Compatible with active mid-water cyprinids and similarly robust loaches. Avoid pairing with very small or timid fish.
Breeding
Captive breeding is rare and most commercial stock is hormone-induced in Asian hatcheries.
Bengal Loach Breeding Guide
Overview
Botia dario is a colourful botiid loach native to South Asia, reaching a maximum of around 120-130 mm. It is a social, hierarchical species best kept in groups, and an egg-scatterer whose breeding is rated advanced.
Sexing
Sexual differences are minimal; sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied than males.
Conditioning
While natural reproduction is not achieved in aquaria, keeping the fish in good condition supports overall health: maintain a group within the species range of 22-28 °C at pH 6.0-7.5 with well-oxygenated water, moderate flow and plenty of hiding places among rock and wood.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No natural spawning behaviour for this species has been documented in the aquarium. Commercial production relies on hormone-induced spawning, a technique outside the scope of the home hobby, and hybrid specimens have also begun appearing in the trade as artificial breeding has expanded.
Common Challenges
Beyond the absence of a workable home breeding method, social stress is the main husbandry concern: the species should be kept in groups of at least five or six, preferably ten or more, since individuals kept singly may become withdrawn or aggressive and in pairs or trios the dominant fish can stress the others until they stop feeding.