The Dwarf Loach, Chain Botia, or Chain Loach (Botia sidthimunki) is a popular freshwater tropical fish in aquarium belonging to Cobitidae family. It grows up to 3 in in captively, 5 in in the wild. It prefers water with temperature 77 to 86 °F (25 - 30 °C), pH 6.5 to 6.9 dGH to 8.0. It is omnivorous with diets include live crustaceans, insects, snails, etc.

The Dwarf Loach is found in Mae Klong river and River Kwai, Western Thailand. This species is endangered in the wild. All fishes in aquarium trade has been artificially bred by hormone injection for generations.

The Dwarf Loach is a peaceful and active schooling fish suitable to community tanks. Keep at least five of this fish. Cares include good filtration and water quality. Small flakes and sinking tablets are accepted besides live food. It is also good at controlling snails in aquarium tanks.

Links to pictures: Loaches.com (http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_sidthimunki.html)

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species
• Botia sidthimunkis vs Botia cf. nigrolineatas (http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/nigrolineata_vs_sidthimunki.html)

References

• "Botia sidthimunki (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=10910)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.