🐟 General Overview

• Common Name: Blue Loach, Blue Botia, or Blue Botia Loach

• Scientific Name: Yasuhikotakia modesta (previously Botia modesta)

• Family: Botiidae

• Origin: River systems of Southeast Asia — mainly Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam

• Lifespan: 10–15 years (with proper care)

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; active and territorial, especially with other loaches

• Difficulty Level: Moderate (best for aquarists with some experience)

🎨 Appearance

• Body Color: Shimmering blue to bluish-gray body, often with an orange or red tail and fins — very striking contrast.

• Shape: Slender, elongated body typical of loaches, with a slightly arched back.

• Size: Can grow up to 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) in captivity.

• Fins: Strong pectoral and dorsal fins, sometimes tipped with orange or reddish hues.

• Special Feature: Has suborbital spines near the eyes that can extend when threatened — handle with care.

🏡 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (larger tanks recommended for groups)

• Tank Setup:

  • Soft, sandy substrate for burrowing

  • Hiding places like caves, driftwood, and rocks (they love shelter)

  • Dim or subdued lighting

  • Strong water flow to mimic natural river currents

• Water Conditions:

  • Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)

  • pH: 6.0–7.5

  • Hardness: 5–12 dGH

• Tankmates: Preferably other semi-aggressive or fast-moving fish of similar size.

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivorous (with a preference for protein-rich foods)

• Foods:

  • Live or frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex, blackworms)

  • Sinking pellets or tablets

  • Occasional plant matter or blanched vegetables (like zucchini or cucumber)

• Feeding Tip: Feed at night or when lights are dim — Blue Loaches are more active in low light.

🧬 Behavior & Temperament

• Nature: Active, curious, and can be territorial, especially toward their own kind.

• Social Behavior: Best kept in groups of 5 or more to reduce aggression (they establish a social hierarchy).

• Tankmates:

  • Good with larger barbs, Gouramis, Rainbowfish, and other medium-sized semi-aggressive fish.

  • Avoid small, delicate, or slow-moving species (like Guppies or Angelfish).

• Habits: Known to hide during the day and become active at night.

🔍 Sexing

• Males: Slightly slimmer and more vividly colored.

• Females: Rounder bellies, especially when mature or full of eggs.

🐣 Breeding

• Breeding Difficulty: Very difficult in captivity — rarely achieved outside professional breeding setups.

• Spawning Behavior: Believed to be egg scatterers in the wild during rainy seasons.

• Fry Care: Not commonly bred by hobbyists, so little is known about captive fry development.

⚕️ Health & Care Tips

• Sensitive to poor water quality — maintain excellent filtration and regular water changes.

• Avoid copper-based medications (loaches are sensitive to them).

• Common issues: ich, skin flukes, and bacterial infections.

• Keep a secure tank lid — they are jumpers!

• Provide plenty of hiding spaces to reduce stress and aggression.

🌟 Fun Facts

• Blue Loaches can produce audible “clicking” sounds — used to communicate or establish dominance.

• They can change their color intensity depending on mood, health, and lighting.

• They are efficient snail hunters — often used to control snail populations in aquariums.

• Despite their feisty nature, they’re social and often form playful “schools” with their kind.

IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.