Yasuhikotakia morleti

Alternative names

 * ,, Skunk Loach

Sexing

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

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.

Diet

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

Feeding regime

 * Feed once or twice a day.

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.

Behaviour

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

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.