Polka Dot Loach

The Polka Dot Loach, Botia kubotai, is native to Southeast Asia, where it is found in Thailand and Myanmar. The average length of 8cm Polka Dot Loach is characterized by vertical black stripes, which in some animals have small bright dots and adorn the entire body.

Care in the aquarium

This lively loach, which loves swimming, needs an aquarium with at least 112 liters (80cm edge length). The water temperature should be between 24 and 29°C and the water should be soft to medium hard, oxygen-rich and clean. The extremely social animals feel most comfortable in a group and will wither away if kept alone, which is why they should be kept company by at least 6-10 conspecifics. The loaches often even play with each other. Dense border plants and other hiding places, dimmed lighting and a dark substrate also contribute to the well-being of the Polka Dot Loach. The soil substrate should be as fine as possible and not sharp-edged, as the loach likes to dig through it in search of food. The extremely peaceful fish can easily be socialized with other peaceful, similarly sized fish.

Feeding

In nature, the Polka Dot Loach feeds primarily carnivorously on insect larvae and small aquatic creatures such as worms or snails, but occasionally also on plant material. Feeding them in the aquarium is not too difficult. It is best to feed as variedly as possible. Frozen and live food is happily accepted, but commercial fish food and green food are also eaten.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

The sexes of Botia kubotai are very difficult or even impossible to recognize, especially in young animals. When fully grown, the males are slightly slimmer and smaller, while the slightly fuller females become larger. Breeding these loaches in an aquarium is said to be very difficult, but we don’t know much about it.