Bengal Loach
Botia dario
Family: Botiidae • Origin: Various
Bengal Loach (Botia dario) is a semi-aggressive loach reaching 6 inches. Keep in groups of 5+. Minimum tank: 40 gallons.
Min Tank
40 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
72-79°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
9 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressiveintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Max size: 6"
- • Temp: 72-79°F
- • pH: 6-7.5
- • Schooling: keep 5+
- • semi-aggressive temperament
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet appropriate for Botiidae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical semi-aggressive Botiidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 40 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 60 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical semi-aggressive Botiidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 9 years
Ideal For
40 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Yoyo Loach
Botia almorhae
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 4+6"
Horseface Loach
Acantopsis dialuzona
75-82°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
peaceful8"
Polka Dot Loach
Botia kubotai
75-82°FpH 6-740+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+6"
Red Tail Shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
72-79°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive6"