Kansu loach

Sinibotia robusta

A stockier loach whose dark and gold bars divide with growth.

This Sinibotia has a deeper, more compact body than its close relatives, a sloping snout and fine mouth barbels. Roughly six dark juvenile bars divide during growth, producing closer dark-brown and golden stripes in adults. The tail is forked.

Adult length: Up to 18 cm
Water temperature: 20–25.5 °C
Lifespan: 8–10 years
pH: 6.5–8
Hardness: 2–15 dGH

Natural habitat: Native to the Pearl River basin, including tributary systems such as the Liu and Gui rivers.

Keep at 20–24°C, pH 6.5–8, GH 2–15 dGH. Provide mature, clean, oxygenated water with some current. Keep the aquarium covered. Can reach about 18 cm.

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Appearance and identification

Adult robusta is deeper and more compact, and its fewer juvenile bars divide during growth. Pulchra is slimmer, with conspicuous fine head marks and broader oblique tail bands. Mixed shipments occur; trade names or juvenile bar counts alone are insufficient.

Floor and movement space

Allow a base of at least 120 × 30 cm or equivalent usable area, with several retreats.

Aquarium environment

Use wood, smooth rocks and shade-tolerant attached plants for cover above sand or fine rounded gravel. Keep quiet retreats and open routes, avoiding sharp edges or trapping holes.

Diet and feeding

Deliberately offer suitable sinking foods alongside varied live or frozen animal foods. Check that hidden and subordinate fish eat.

Same-species behaviour

Start with three or four conspecifics; small groups form hierarchies and subordinates may stop feeding under pressure. Assess pursuit, shelter and food access. A pair is not automatically stable.

Compatibility limits

Often hidden in cover or quieter areas, but may rise into midwater when feeding. Comparatively peaceful; check companion needs and each fish's food access. It is not a leftover cleaner.

Sources

www.seriouslyfish.com ↗ 2026-10-22

www.aquariumglaser.de ↗ 2026-10-22