Skunk loach

Skunk loach
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Botiidae[2]
Genus: Yasuhikotakia
Species: Y. morleti
Binomial name
Yasuhikotakia morleti
(Tirant, 1885)

The skunk loach, skunk botia or Hora's loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti; syn. Botia morleti, Botia horae) is a species of botiid loach found in the Mekong River basin in Indochina, as well as the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins in Thailand.[1] The maximum size is 10 cm (4 in) and it occurs in water with parameters 26 - 30 ° C (79 to 86 ° F) temperature, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness 5.0 to 12.0. It feeds on live crustaceans, insects, snails and other invertebrates.

In the aquarium

Despite being seen frequently in the aquarium trade, it is a very aggressive fish and not suitable for community aquarium tanks. Other smaller fish and bottom feeders in the tank may be attacked or killed. Suitable tank mates for the skunk botia include larger cichlid species. Caves should be provided as hiding places.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Allen, D.J. (2013). "Yasuhikotakia morleti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Kottelat, M. (2012): Conspectus cobitidum: an inventory of the loaches of the world (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cobitoidei). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Suppl. No. 26: 1-199.
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