Dwarf Chain Loach
Ambastaia sidthimunki
Family: Botiidae • Origin: Southeast Asia
Dwarf Chain Loaches are the smallest botia species — staying under 2.5 inches. Social, active, and great pest snail eaters.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
2.5"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
2-12 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Smallest botia loach
- • Will eat pest snails
- • Keep in groups of 5+
- • Very active and social
- • Safe with community fish
Feeding: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, snails, micro foods.
Compatibility Notes: The only truly small, community-safe loach. Eats pest snails. Keep in groups.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–12
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
The only truly small, community-safe loach. Eats pest snails. Keep in groups.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 8 years
Ideal For
20 gallonplanted tankcommunitypest snail control
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
Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
75-86°FpH 5.5-715+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+4"
Zebra Loach
Botia striata
73-79°FpH 6-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+4"
Hillstream Butterfly Loach
Beaufortia kweichowensis
65-75°FpH 6.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Hillstream Loach
Sewellia lineolata
65-75°FpH 6.5-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"