Silver Loach (Yasuhikotakia lecontei) Care Guide
Yasuhikotakia lecontei is a silvery Mekong-basin botiid loach with red-tipped fins, a gregarious species needing a large tank and a group.
Overview
The Silver Loach (Yasuhikotakia lecontei) is a silvery botiid loach with red-tipped fins, native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya river systems. It is a gregarious, active bottom-dweller that forms complex social hierarchies and, like related loaches, communicates with audible clicks. It needs a sizeable tank and the security of a group.
Taxonomy
- Family: Botiidae
- Genus: Yasuhikotakia
- Scientific name: Yasuhikotakia lecontei
- Common synonym: Botia lecontei
Habitat
The species occurs in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, including drainages in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is a demersal fish of medium to large rivers with fast-flowing water and stony to rocky substrates, sheltering among rocks and roots and foraging at night.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals (10+ preferred)
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
FishBase records a maximum standard length of about 15 cm for this species; aquarium accounts describe a larger, robust loach, so a long, spacious tank is recommended.
Diet
It is primarily carnivorous, feeding on mollusks and benthic invertebrates in nature. In the aquarium it requires a varied diet of quality dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Tubifex and Artemia, supplemented with vegetables such as cucumber, courgette and spinach.
Compatibility
Milder than some congeners, it should coexist reasonably peacefully with compatible tankmates. It must be kept in a group of at least five or six, preferably ten or more, because lone fish can become withdrawn or aggressive. It suits robust, active cyprinids and other large bottom-dwellers.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2011).