Zebra Loach
Botia striata
Family: Botiidae • Origin: Various
Zebra Loach (Botia striata) is a peaceful loach reaching 4 inches. Keep in groups of 5+. Minimum tank size: 20 gallons.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
4"
Temperature
73-79°F
pH
6-7
Lifespan
6 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Max size: 4 inches
- • Temperature: 73-79°F
- • pH: 6-7
- • Schooling — keep 5+ together
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Botiidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Botiidae species.
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
- 73–79°F
- pH Range
- 6–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- 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
- moderate
Typical peaceful Botiidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 6 years
Ideal For
20 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
Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
75-86°FpH 5.5-715+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+4"
Dwarf Chain Loach
Ambastaia sidthimunki
75-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+2.5"
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"