Tiger Loach

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Neomacheilus botia
• Common Name: Tiger Loach
• Adult Size: 7 to 10 cm (approximately 3 to 4 inches)
• Life Expectancy: 5 to 7 years in optimal conditions
• Habitat: Native to South Asia, particularly India and Sri Lanka. Found in clear, fast-flowing mountain streams with sandy or rocky substrates.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (larger if keeping a group)
• Ideal Temperature: 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F)
• pH Range: 6.5 to 7.5
• Water Hardness: 5 to 15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially toward their own kind or similar bottom dwellers. Best kept singly or in a larger group (6+) to disperse aggression. Good with fast, peaceful mid-to-top-dwelling tankmates.

Diet & Nutrition

Omnivorous, with a preference for:

• Sinking pellets and wafers
• Live/frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
• Occasional plant matter or algae wafers
• Known to help clean leftover food at the bottom

Breeding & Spawning

• Rarely bred in home aquariums
• Likely egg scatterers, but no consistent spawning reports
• Breeding may require simulated river conditions and hormonal assistance in captivity

Appearance

Distinctive Features:

• Striking black vertical stripes over a yellowish to golden body (hence the name “Tiger” Loach)
• Slender, elongated body built for swimming in currents
• Subterminal mouth with barbels for foraging
• Active swimmers with darting behavior, especially in fast-moving water setups