Skunk Loach care guide
Skunk Loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Skunk Loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti) is a small botiid from south-east Asian rivers, named for the dark dorsal stripe that runs from snout to caudal peduncle. It is one of the more boldly territorial small botiids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Botiidae
- Genus: Yasuhikotakia
- Scientific name: Yasuhikotakia morleti
- Common synonyms: Skunk Botia, Hora's Loach, Cream Loach
Habitat
Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, in moderately flowing streams with sandy substrates and submerged wood.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 7-10 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- School size: ≥4 individuals
Diet
An omnivore. Offer sinking pellets, granules, live or frozen foods (bloodworms, daphnia) and occasional snails.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive social loach. Keep groups of at least four to disperse aggression. Avoid mixing with long-finned or slow species; pair instead with robust active cyprinids and other botiids of similar size.
Breeding
Captive breeding is uncommon and primarily commercial via hormonal induction.
Skunk Loach Breeding Guide
Overview
Yasuhikotakia morleti is a botiid loach from Southeast Asia reaching a maximum of about 70-85 mm. It is a social species that must be kept in groups, and breeding is rated advanced.
Sexing
Sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied and grow a little larger than males.
Conditioning
Although natural reproduction is not achieved in aquaria, keeping the fish well is straightforward: maintain a group within the species range of 24-28 °C at pH 6.0-7.5 with moderate flow and ample cover. Juveniles in the wild migrate from tributaries and flood plains into main river channels around November and December.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No natural aquarium spawning has been recorded. The wild spawning migration is tied to seasonal river dynamics, and commercial supply depends on hormone-induced spawning rather than any technique available to hobbyists.
Common Challenges
The species can be combative, tending to nip fins and harass tankmates, especially in smaller groups; it should be kept in groups of at least five or six, preferably ten or more, in a larger, well-structured community of robust, active fish. Kept singly it can become withdrawn or excessively aggressive.