{"product_id":"zebra-candy-stripe-loach-botia-striata-4cm","title":"Zebra Candy Stripe Loach Botia Striata 4cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zebra Loach is a small, neatly striped botia with fine dark bands over a golden body and a red-tinged snout, one of the most manageable loaches for home tanks. It is endemic to a handful of rivers in the Western Ghats of southern India. Sociable and comparatively gentle, it suits planted community tanks that can house a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 8–9 cm (3.5 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–8 years, often longer\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 Karnataka and Maharashtra, southern India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Well-oxygenated, shaded streams over boulders and cobbles, moderate flow\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, takes some vegetable matter\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 Feed once or twice daily; offer sinking foods after the lights dim\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 Peaceful barbs, rasboras, tetras, danios, other botias, corydoras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Snails, long-finned fish, very 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 Peaceful, playful and inquisitive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Mild in-group squabbles and shadowing; keep five 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 Beginner to intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Needs a group and stable, clean water; sensitive to medications and salt\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 medium, slightly acidic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 21–26°C (70–79°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 1–10 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 100 litres; 120 cm footprint preferred for a group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts modest size makes it the most practical botia for average tanks, but it still needs a group of five or more and years of care. Furnish with sand, smooth caves, wood and dim light, and expect it to hunt pest snails. Females become plumper; it is not bred in the hobby. Handle with a container, as the sharp eye spines snag nets. Endangered in the wild, so buy responsibly. A charming, clicking, sociable loach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680678785401,"sku":"STF-LOACH-ZEBRA","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LOACH-ZEBRA.png?v=1790097151","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/zebra-candy-stripe-loach-botia-striata-4cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}