Solefish

Approx. 1.5" The Lohachata Botia Loach (Botia lohachata) is also known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Yoyo Loach, Almorha Loach, Pakistani Loach, Reticulated Loach, and Y-Loach. Because only a single juvenile specimen was used to originally describe Botia lohachata, the validity of the species has never been fully resolved.   Grant in 2007 considered it as a distinct species that has definitely been exported for the aquarium trade, but confirmation is still required. Juvenile Lohachata Botia Loaches have a gold to silver metallic sheen that turns a gray to green in adults, without the sheen.  Three unconnected “Y” markings typically occur in adult and juvenile specimens which give rise to one of their common names, the Yoyo Loach. The dorsal fin of the Lohachata Botia loach has 2 to 3 bands; the caudal fin has 3 to 4 bands, the pectoral fins usually have 3 bands, the anal fin has 1 or 2 bands, and the ventral fins usually have 1 to 4 bands that increase with age. The Lohachata Botia Loach can further be identified by the four pairs of barbels that protrude from their mouth and their silvery gold with irregular black striping color. The Lohachata Botia Loach is often believed to be a scaleless fish but they do have very small scales that are embedded in their skin. Like all loaches, the Lohachata Botia Loach is an active scavenger.  They are a semi aggressive species that enjoy the company of their own species.  They generally school with other loaches of the same size and age, and should be housed in groups of 6 or more specimens in an aquarium environment. Lohachata Botia Loaches require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons with a sandy or fine gravel substrate, some plants, some smooth river rock, a few pieces of driftwood or bogwood for them to hide among, and plenty of free swimming space. They like holes in driftwood or caves in the rockwork to hide and sleep. Because Lohachata Botia Loaches are found in shaded jungle streams, they prefer subdued lighting or a few floating plants in their tank to diffuse the lighting and provide cover. All botia loaches are excellent diggers, and because of their delicate barbels, should be provided with a sandy substrate in their tank. These loaches are also excellent jumpers and require a tightly fitting tank cover. Lohachata Botia Loaches do best in well oxygenated water with some degree of current in their tank.  They are intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and need spotless water conditions to thrive. For this reason, many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts opt for using a quality canister filter for this species. They should never be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium. Even so, they require regular 25% to 50% weekly water changes. The breeding habits of this particular species have never been recorded, and to date no captive breeding program has yet been initiated. Juvenile Botia Lohachata will eat most prepared foods and should be fed small portions several times a day. Older specimens sometimes become finicky eaters and can be fed tubifex, blackworms, small snails, etc. to augment their diet. Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Semi Aggressive Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.5 Max Size: 5″ Color Form: Black, White, Yellow Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Good community tank fish Origin: Bangladesh, North and Northeast India Family: Cobitidae Lifespan: 8 – 12 years Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Approx. 4" - 5" The Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is also known as the Weather Loach, Oriental weatherfish, Chinese Weatherfish and Pond Loach. These remarkable fish are called Weather Loaches or Weatherfish because of their habit of becoming extremely active when there is a change in the weather, possiblly due to barometric pressure changes. The Dojo Loach has poor eyesight, a smooth elongated body that is absent or covered with reduced scales, and a mouth that is surrounded by barbels that they use for locating food. This loach is available in both its wild form and in a gold variety called the Golden Dojo Loach. The wild form of the Dojo Loach has dark greenish gray to dark brown spots over a yellowish brown, often mottled body and a noticeably paler belly. The Golden Dojo Loachhas a much thinner body and is pink to gold in coloration. Both forms of Dojo Loach are peaceful and very efficient scavengers that make a welcome addition to any community aquarium. They normally will not bother other fish in the aquarium and are one tropical fish species than can be kept with fancy goldfish to help clean the bottom of the tank. Dojo Loaches wiggle about in an eel like fashion scavenging the bottom for leftover bits of food and even munching on snails. Dojo Loaches do well in potted plant aquariums with a soft sand or fine gravel substrate. They enjoy digging and burrowing into the substrate and will eventually uproot unpotted plants. They are most active during the evening hours and like to hide during the day in rocks, caves and around driftwood. In addition to being very playful, Dojo Loaches have some very unique qualities. They can be trained to take food from your hand and enjoy being touched. Since Dojo Loaches can be jumpers, you should have a tight fitting top on your tank, however, if they do jump out, they can survive out of water for quite some time. They produce a thick mucus coating that keeps their body moist and are able to swallow air by absorbing atmospheric oxygen through their hind gut. The Dojo Loach is primarily carnivorous. They prefer freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, chopped worms, and other frozen or live meaty foods. They are also fond of snails and will quickly rid your tank of an infestation. Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy Water Conditions: 50-82° F, KH 3-5, pH 6.5-8.0 Max. Size: 6″ Color Form: Red, Yellow Diet: Carnivore Compatibility: Good community tank fish Origin: China, Korea, Japan; Farm Raised in Singapore Family: Cobitidae Lifespan: 70-10 years Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner