Yasuhikotakia morleti

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Skunk Loach
Skunk Loach
Species	Yasuhikotakia morleti
Difficulty	Moderate
Min. Tank Size	151.416 liters 151,416.471 mL 40 US Gallons (151.4L)
Size	15.24 cm 4-6 " (10.2-15.2cm)
pH	6.5 - 7.0
Temp.	298.706 K 25.556 °C 537.67 °R 303.15 K 30 °C 545.67 °R78 -86 °F (25.6-30°C)
Water Hardness	6-12
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Uncommon
Diet	Carnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Live Foods
Life Span	6-16 years

[edit] Alternative names

Hora's Loach, Skunk Botia, Skunk Loach

[edit] Other Scientific Names

Botia morleti, Botia horae

[edit] Sexing

Mature females are plumper than males. Not known to breed in captivity.

[edit] Tank compatibility

Can be aggressive towards tankmates, keep in groups of 5 or more in a spacious tank. Does best in a species tank, or keep with mid-top swimming robust fish that won't be bothered by this Loach's high activity levels. Can be kept with other moderately aggressive species such as Yasuhikotakia eos, Yasuhikotakia lecontei, Yasuhikotakia modesta and many of the Syncrossus (Tiger loach) species.

[edit] Diet

Will accept most meaty foods including sinking pellets and flake as well as live/frozen food such as bloodworm and daphnia.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

[edit] Environment Specifics

They appreciate a large and spacious tank with plenty of hiding places in bogwood and a soft substrate so they do not damage their barbels.

[edit] Behaviour

A highly active and fiesty Loach. They are known to dig in substrate, even burrow. Will be most active at night and often hide during the day.

[edit] Identification

An attractive Loach with the same chunky body shape as the more well known Clown Loach. The Skunk Loach has a pale pinkish body with a bold black band running from the tip of the nose, down the spine and to the caudal peduncle. The pectoral, anal and pelvic fins are translucent orange, whereas the dorsal is translucent pale yellow, and the caudal fin is pale yellow with dark spotting.

[edit] Pictures

Skunk Loach with a Cherry Barb

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Loaches.com