#GREEN ZEBRA LOACH FREE#

Dim lighting and a good sized filter will contribute greatly to the well-being of these clear water loving fish. Larger plant leaves, such as those of Anubias, are used by them as resting places.

#GREEN ZEBRA LOACH FREE#

Dense planting in places up to the water surface should also have sufficient free swimming space in the lower to middle water zone, as Zebra Loaches occasionally swim fast distances. A substrate of light-colored, fine sand with pebbled areas and small stone structures that provide privacy and caves are readily accepted by the animals. The aquarium for Zebra Loaches should be at least 200 liters and well structured. Commercial breeding is also not known to date. Possibly this is related to the spawning migrations that take place in the wild and is also dependent on seasons and rainfall. Breeding under aquarium conditions has not been successful so far. The sexes can hardly be distinguished externally, presumably females become however more plump. Group keeping is therefore indispensable! Individually kept loaches show a clearly increased aggression potential and can become real terminators, which attack and frighten all by-fish. The Zebra Loach also has a pronounced social behavior that occasionally leads to hierarchy disputes within the group and tends not to bother other fellow fish, provided the loach group is large enough. Its peaceful behavior makes it a popular aquarium fish that can be socialized well, but it also tends to nibble on long-finned fish. With its possible final size of maximum 8 centimeters it represents one of the smallest known loaches. Catching and holding with the bare hand should be avoided in principleĪs usual for loaches, the Zebra loach communicates via clicks. The spine tips can secrete a poison that is rather harmless to humans, but at the very least can cause painful wounds that should be attended to by a doctor, especially for those with allergies. Like other loaches, it has a suborbital spine located below the eye that can be erected in case of danger or predators. The semi-transparent fins have stripes with a spotted pattern. The colors may change slightly with age, fading with stress. The Zebra Loach has a very interesting zebra pattern with very fine horizontal brown, yellow and sometimes reddish lines. The underside pointed mouth has two pairs of barbels. Unlike other loaches, its body has a high back. It is considered somewhat special, so its keeping is recommended to more advanced aquarists. Its natural and also very small habitat is threatened by forest clearing and pollution. It originates from clean and well flowed rivers and streams of southern India. The Zebra Loach, Botia striata, is one of the most popular loach species in aquaristics, which immediately catches the eye due to its special coloration.

Green zebra loach