Family Reference
Loaches
Cobitoidea — kuhli, clown, yo-yo, hillstream, and the substrate-disturbing fish that need company more than they need quiet.
The Complete Loaches Guide: Kuhli, Clown, Botia & Hillstream
Field reference to Cobitoidea in aquaria: kuhli, clown, Botia, hillstream, weather, and stream loaches with taxonomy, behaviour, handling, and husbandry.
Read the guide →Species & Profiles
All articles in this section
Why Does My Clown Loach Keep Getting Ich?
Clown loaches get ich repeatedly because they're scaleless, stress easily in groups under five, and need 27–30 °C to maintain immune function. Here's how to break the cycle.
Tiger Loach (Syncrossus hymenophysa): Care for a Boisterous Loach
Field profile of Syncrossus hymenophysa: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the tiger loach.
Dwarf Chain Loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki): Care & Conservation
Field profile of Ambastaia sidthimunki: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Banded Loach (Botia rostrata): Care & Cooler-Water Tolerance
Field profile of Botia rostrata: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the banded loach.
Zebra Loach (Botia striata): Care for the Peaceful Indian Botia
Field profile of Botia striata: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the zebra loach.
Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis): Flow & Oxygen Care
Field profile of Beaufortia kweichowensis: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Horse-Face Loach (Acantopsis dialuzona): Sand-Burrowing Care
Field profile of Acantopsis dialuzona: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Kuhli Loach vs Freshwater Eel: Pangio, Spiny Eels & Swamp Eels
Comparison guide separating Pangio kuhli loaches from freshwater spiny eels, Mastacembelus imports, and Asian swamp eels in aquarium trade lots.
Burmese Border Loach (Botia histrionica): Care & Identification
Field profile of Botia histrionica: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Sumo Loach (Schistura spp.): Care for Stream Nemacheilids
Field profile of Schistura spp.: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the sumo loach.
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii): Care & Sand-Burrowing Behaviour
Field profile of Pangio kuhlii: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the kuhli loach.
Skunk Loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti): Care, Temperament & Groups
Field profile of Yasuhikotakia morleti: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the skunk loach.
Polka-Dot Loach (Botia kubotai): Care & Adult Pattern Change
Field profile of Botia kubotai: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the polka-dot loach.
Yoyo Loach (Botia almorhae): Care, Pattern & Social Needs
Field profile of Botia almorhae: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, and common aquarium failures for the yoyo loach.
Weather Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus): Cool-Water Care
Field profile of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus): Size, Groups & Lifespan
Field profile of Chromobotia macracanthus: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.
Reticulated Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata): Care
Field profile of Sewellia lineolata: identification, origin, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour.