Chinese loach

Leptobotia taeniops

Irregular purple-brown marbling distinguishes this Leptobotia.

Irregular purple-brown worm-like pigment marks produce a marbled flank on a pale yellow to pink-brown ground. Honeycomb, plain or yellow trade labels alone do not identify the species.

Adult length: Up to 22.8 cm
Water temperature: 15.5–21 °C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–20 dGH

Natural habitat: Mainly inhabits clear, oxygen-rich flowing rivers over rocks and gravel, also occurring in larger, more turbid channels.

Keep at 15.5–21°C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 5–20 dGH, with mature filtration, clean water, oxygenation and current.

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Appearance and identification

The worm-like marbling of taeniops differs from the broad dark blotches or dorsal saddles of L. elongata.

Floor and movement space

Allow at least a 120 × 45 cm base, considered with an adult group and several retreats.

Aquarium environment

Use smooth stones, wood and refuges with safe exits in a flowing-water bottom arrangement. Hardy plants attached to hardscape may be tried.

Diet and feeding

Provide appropriately sized sinking foods and varied frozen or live small animal foods. Adjust food size as fish grow and check that sheltered individuals feed. Leftovers alone are inadequate, and this is not a cleaning fish.

Same-species behaviour

Start with three or four conspecifics, though even a pair or trio can develop hierarchy-related feeding suppression; combine shelter, space and feeding observation.

Compatibility limits

Small fish may be eaten, and slow long-finned companions should not be chosen casually. It needs relatively cool, clean, highly oxygenated flowing water. Pay particular attention to summer heat.

Sources

www.seriouslyfish.com ↗ 2026-10-22

www.loaches.com ↗ 2026-10-23

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗ 2026-10-23

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22