{"product_id":"skunk-loach-botia-yasuhikotakia-morleti-4cm","title":"Skunk Loach Botia Yasuhikotakia Morleti 4cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Skunk Loach is a compact, pale-bodied botiid loach with a single dark stripe running along its back and a black bar at the base of the tail. It is bold, fast and inquisitive, and clicks audibly at feeding time. From the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, it suits experienced keepers with robust, active communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 8–10 cm (3–4 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–10 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong drainages, Southeast Asia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Rivers and floodplains among rocks and submerged wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, leaning carnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Sinking pellets, bloodworm, tubifex, brine shrimp, snails, cucumber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Once or twice daily; bold feeder; controls snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Groups of 6 or more; fast danios, rasboras, barbs, other botiid loaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow, long-finned fish; corydoras; shrimp; small or timid species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Semi-aggressive; nips fins and harasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Strong pecking order; worst when kept singly or in pairs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Aggression, needs a large group, jumps, medication sensitive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, neutral\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 23–28°C (73–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–12 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate; well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 120 litres for a group of six; 120 cm long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the feistiest of the commonly sold loaches: keep at least six so aggression spreads across the group, and give them caves, wood and dim light. Fit a tight lid because they jump. Skunk loaches have small scales and react badly to copper and full-dose medicines. Juveniles show faint vertical bars that fade with age. Females are fuller-bodied; they are not bred in the hobby. In the right tank they are endlessly entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680678687097,"sku":"STF-LOACH-SKUNK","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LOACH-SKUNK.png?v=1790097151","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/skunk-loach-botia-yasuhikotakia-morleti-4cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}