Botia kubotai Loach

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 4"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.5
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: India   • Family: Cobitidae
• Species: Loaches   • Aquarium Type: Community

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The Botia kubotai Loach has become a vary popular species within the aquarium hobby due to its combination of attractive coloration & pattern, hardiness and ease of care. This species has gone by a few different names since its introduction into the hobby that include: Polka Dot Loach, Burmese Border Loach & Botia Angelicus Loach. However, it has been reclassified and goes by Botia kubotai Loach at this time and moving forward.

Without a doubt, their popularity is due mostly to their beautiful coloration and uniquely striking body pattern. The fact that they are relatively hardy, easy to care for, are excellent additions to community aquariums & will eat a wide variety of foods makes them an excellent species to keep for intermediate to advanced aquarium hobbyists.

Botia kubotai Loaches do very well in established community aquariums when kept with similarly sized fish and provided with a combination of shaded planted or rocky areas and open swimming areas. While they are not considered an aggressive species, they can be predatory towards very small fish (under 1 inch in length) and some smaller snail species.

While Botia kubotai Loaches are considered hardy fish that are strong eaters, their care level is considered moderate as they do not tolerate poor water conditions well. In the wild they come from fast flowing streams that provide them a constant supply of clean highly oxygenated water, thus they require an aquarium environment that provides them with clean water and moderate to strong water currents.

Plenty of plants, rocks and driftwood are also beneficial as it allows them to both seek shelter when frightened and to escape the bright aquarium lights and find a shady spot to relax in.

Botia kubotai Loach will readily consume a wide variety of both meaty and vegetable foodstuffs. Ideally they should be fed many small meals throughout the day, with access to plant matter or algae wafers to supplement their diet of meaty flakes, pellets, frozen or live foods.

They are particularly fond of bloodworms and will eagerly consume freeze-dried, frozen or live bloodworms. They will take food directly from the water column; as well as, scavenging the aquarium substrate for food and plant matter.