{"product_id":"dwarf-chain-loach-ambastaia-sidthimunki-4cm","title":"Dwarf Chain Loach Ambastaia Sidthimunki 4cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dwarf Chain Loach is a small, silver-gold botiid patterned with a chain of dark links along the flanks, active by day and often seen hovering in mid-water with its group. It is one of the few loaches that stays genuinely small. Native to the Mae Klong basin of western Thailand, it suits peaceful community tanks with a proper shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 6 cm (2.4 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–12 years\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 Western Thailand and Thai-Myanmar border, Mae Klong and Ataran drainages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow, oxygen-rich forest headwaters over sand, rock and leaf litter\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 Carnivorous, accepts some vegetable matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Sinking granules, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, cucumber, blanched spinach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Once or twice daily; also relishes small 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 Rasboras, tetras, danios, corydoras, peaceful dwarf cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Long-finned or sedentary fish, large aggressive species, small shrimp\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 Peaceful but lively; occasional fin-nipping reported\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Group hierarchy with harmless sparring; keep six or more\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 Needs a mature tank, stable water and a large group\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 and slightly acidic to neutral\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 20–30°C (68–86°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 5.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 1–12 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 80 litres for a group of six; ten or more is better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChain loaches are a long-term commitment and are wretched when kept singly, so budget for a group of six to ten from the start. They are keen jumpers, so fit a tight cover, and carry a sharp venomous spine beneath each eye, so net them carefully. Watch for the harmless greying-out display during dominance squabbles. Commercial stock is hormone-bred and home breeding is very rare, but a big shoal is endlessly entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680678424953,"sku":"STF-LOACH-DWARF-CHAIN","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LOACH-DWARF-CHAIN.png?v=1790097151","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/dwarf-chain-loach-ambastaia-sidthimunki-4cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}