Loach Varieties

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   The Loaches belong to the family Cobitidae. Though a rather small family consisting of about 100 species, it contains some of the most spectacular freshwater fishes.

   Occasionally both the Hillstream Loaches and the Loaches are confused with the catfishes because of the presence of barbels. One similarity that lends to this confusion are the barbels, all of these fish have between 3 to 6 pairs. Another is the appearance of being scaleless due to very tiny scales on some species, yet all these fish are in fact covered with scales or partially covered with scales.

Description:
   Most of the loaches are not very large, being only a few inches, but there are exceptions with a few of the Botia reaching over 12" (30 cm) and the exceptionally large Royal Clown Loach which can reach up to 20" (50 cm). The body forms, though most often elongated and rather cylindrical (and a few that are flattened), are quite varied. They can be chunky and heavy, worm-like, or even eel-like.
   For the most part these fish are bottom dwellers, but many species have a unique intestine that can act as a respiratory organ similar to that of the Corydoras. This allows them to absorb oxygen at the surface directly from the atmosphere, a feature that helps ensure survival even if water conditions are polluted or are oxygen depleted.
   Some Cobitidae species were believed to be extremely sensitive to atmospheric pressure so that when the weather changed they would get quite active, swimming up and down in the aquarium. These fish have been used as living barometers and are referred to as 'weather fish'. A noted example is the Dojo Loach,Japanese Weather Fish, or Weather Loach. It is uncertain however, whether these nervous displays are from a barometric change, some other change in conditions, or just their unique behavior.

Care and feeding:
   These fish mainly get active in the evening or after dark, are mostly bottom feeders, and are omnivores. Although in their natural habitat many primarily eat insect larvae, live worms, and crustaceans, they also nibble on algae and other vegetation. They can be fed dry flake food, freeze dried and frozen proteins such as tubifex and bloodworms, and vegetable substitutes such as a soft algae or algae wafers. Some of the larger species of Botia are fond of Red Ramshorn snails and occasionally a Mystery snail.
   They all prefer hiding places where they can retreat to at will. The worm-like species especially like to hide under plant roots or wood while the free swimming species like to hide in caves.

Breeding:
   There is little known about the reproduction of most of these fish. Though there have been some reported successes among various hobbyists, these fish are not yet commercially bred.