Spotted Stone Loach Care Guide
Schistura notostigma is a spot-patterned stone loach endemic to Sri Lanka, an active, territorial bottom-dweller of fast streams.
Overview
Schistura notostigma, the spotted or spotback stone loach, is a nemacheilid loach with an elongated, spot-patterned body. It is an active, territorial bottom-dweller endemic to Sri Lanka.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nemacheilidae
- Genus: Schistura
- Scientific name: Schistura notostigma (Bleeker, 1863)
Habitat
FishBase records the species as endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic stone loach of fast-flowing streams with rock or pebble substrate, in tropical waters around 22-24 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate to strong, oxygenated
- Maximum size: about 6.3 cm
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
It is a carnivore (trophic level about 3.0 per FishBase) feeding on small invertebrates. In aquaria it accepts live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp, plus sinking prepared feeds, offered around twice daily.
Compatibility
It is semi-aggressive and territorial, so provide caves and broken lines of sight. Suitable companions are robust cyprinids and fish that tolerate moving water; slow-water species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 2019), reflecting pressures on its restricted island range.