Moderate

Zebra Loach

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Botia striata

Complete Zebra Loach care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Zebra Loach

Quick Answer

Zebra Loach (Botia striata) is a beautifully striped loach from India. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Zebra Loach (Botia striata) is a beautifully striped loach from India. It is one of the more peaceful members of the Botia family.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with smooth sand substrate, caves, driftwood, and moderate water flow. Good filtration and regular water changes.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats sinking pellets, frozen foods, live foods, and snails. They are effective snail controllers.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in groups of 5+. Good with barbs, danios, rainbowfish, tetras, and Corydoras. Avoid very small or slow fish.

Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Zebra Loaches should be kept together?
Maintain a group of 5 to 8 individuals in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 36x12 inches (90x30 cm). Zebra loaches (Botia striata) are peaceful, smaller loaches with vertical zebra stripes that exhibit playful, social behaviors when kept in numbers. Groups under 4 cause chronic hiding and stress. A school of 8+ displays natural shoaling and snail-hunting behavior. Provide fine sand substrate, smooth rocks, driftwood, and PVC caves. Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Zebra Loaches?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They require a fully cycled, mature aquarium with soft sand substrate layers to safeguard their delicate barbels. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with moderate flow (6-8x turnover). Provide sand substrate; gravel damages barbels. Add driftwood and leaf litter.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Zebra Loaches?
They are active bottom omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed sinking catfish pellets, krill granules, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and blanched cucumber slices daily. They actively consume small pest snails. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <3 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-strength.
How to breed Zebra Loaches in captivity?
Breeding is rare. Condition a group of 6-8 with live blackworms and bloodworms for 4 weeks. Simulate rainy season: Lower temperature to 68°F (20°C), perform 50% water change with cool soft water over 4 hours, increase aeration. Provide fine-leaf plants (Java moss) as spawning sites. Female releases 200-500 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after spawning (they eat eggs). Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours at 72°F (22°C). Fry require infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp. Not recommended for beginners.

Related Content

fish

African Butterflyfish

Complete African Butterflyfish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

fish

African Cichlid

Complete African Cichlid care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, aggressive temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

fish

African Leaf Fish

Complete African Leaf Fish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

fish

African Red Eyed Tetra

Complete African Red Eyed Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

fish

Angelfish

Complete Angelfish care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

fish

Apistogramma

Complete Apistogramma care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.