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Fishes Catalogue - Loaches (Family: Cobitidae)

Contents

• Key to Abbreviations
• Loaches
• Coolie or Kuhli Loach
• Clown Loach
• Shelford's Loach or Shelford's Prickly Eye
• Hora's Loach

Loaches can be described as carp-like fishes, and they belong to the family known as Cobitidae. They are the most common members of the family, whose natural distribution extends from Asia, through Europe, including the British Isles, and into North Africa, although only a few species can be found there, mainly in the Moroccan regions.

Most Loaches tend to be of a timid nature, and many of them, such as in the genus Acanthophthalmus; which comprises a number of species with long slender bodies, will hide under flat pieces of stone most of the time, only coming out during the hours of darkness in search of food. They will take most live and prepared foods and will scavenge around the aquarium floor looking for it.

In general Loaches only attain a few inches in length, the Kuhli Loach, Acanthophthalmus Kuhli, for example will grow to around 3½ inches (9cms), however, the Clown Loach, Botia macracanthus, can reach a length of 12 inches (30cms), although they may well only reach about 6 inches (15cms) in an aquarium at home.

Most Loaches are peaceful nocturnal fishes, and are suitable for a community aquarium; they are even beneficial in they’re scavenging capacity. However there are some exceptions, such as the Banded-Loach Botia helodes, which is restless and aggressive, or Botia lohachata, again aggressive and best kept alone. On a lighter note, the Dwarf Loach, Botia sidthimunki, is a lively peaceful species that is opposite to its relatives and is active by day, it is a schooling fish and is a keen swimmer.

The number of barbels can vary depending on the genus, i.e. Thorneye, Acanthophthalmus sp. [Acanth = thorn or spine; ophthalmus = eye] for example, have three to six pairs of short to fairly long barbels. These barbels act like taste buds and help it to find food. Another example is the genus Botia ; they have three pairs of barbels, and the genus Lepidoce phalus has four pairs of barbels, which include a pair on its lower jaw. In some instances Loaches have an additional respiratory organ, enabling them to survive in oxygen-depleted water. This is achieved whereby the intestines of these certain Loaches are able to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere.

Many Loaches prefer subdued light; this can be achieved either by reduced lighting, or by using floating plants such as Salvinia, Vallisneria, or Limnobium. NB. Using reduced lighting and floating plants together should be avoided, most floating plants require a lot of light.

Too little is known about the Loaches reproduction cycle, by enlarge reproduction records are lacking, breeding has been recorded as unsuccessful or by chance. Speculators have suggested that the Loach spawns during a nuptial embrace, or that they build a “foam” nest, but this indicates nothing conclusive.

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