Zebra loach
Botia striata
intermediate careOverview
The zebra loach (Botia striata) is a handsomely striped, peaceful loach and one of the best-behaved of the Botia group. Covered in fine dark-and-gold bands, it is smaller and calmer than the clown or yoyo loach, spending its days foraging and socialising in a busy little gang. Long-lived and hardy once settled, it needs a group and a mature tank, but rewards that with years of engaging, snail-hunting activity along the bottom.
Tank & water
A group of five needs at least 115 litres (30 gallons) of floor space. Hold 23–27 °C with a filter giving good oxygen and moderate flow on clean, well-cycled water.
- Smooth sand: protects their barbels as they forage — see best aquarium sand and gravel and the substrate hub.
- Caves and wood: plenty of hides let them shelter and establish territory.
- Mature, stable water: like most loaches they are sensitive to poor water and new-tank swings.
Feeding
As omnivores, zebra loaches forage constantly. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and granules — a good sinking food — plus frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and they will hunt small snails between meals. See our best fish food picks. Feed a varied diet aimed at the substrate so the whole group gets its share.
Tankmates
Peaceful and sociable, zebra loaches suit active communities of barbs such as the tiger barb or denison barb, larger tetras, rainbowfish and corydoras. They mix with other peaceful loaches such as the dwarf chain loach. Avoid very small fish, ornamental shrimp and aggressive tankmates.
Frequently asked questions
The zebra loach is the peacemaker of the Botia family: striped, sociable, snail-hunting and long-lived. Keep a group of five on smooth sand in a mature tank and it will thrive for well over a decade.
Zebra loach — frequently asked questions
Do zebra loaches need to be kept in a group?
Yes — keep at least five. Zebra loaches are social, group-living fish that become stressed, shy and sometimes nippy when kept alone or in pairs. In a proper group they establish a gentle hierarchy and are far more active and settled.
Will a zebra loach eat snails?
It will happily eat small pest snails, making it a natural, low-key snail control for larger tanks. Don't rely on it to clear a heavy infestation overnight, and remember it may also bother ornamental snails and small shrimp.
Are zebra loaches peaceful?
For a Botia loach, yes — the zebra is one of the calmer, more community-friendly species, much less boisterous than clown or yoyo loaches. It still needs a group and mature tank, but it suits a peaceful community better than most of its relatives.
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