Tag Archives: Paracanthocobitis

Paracanthocobitis botia

18. November 2022

From India we could import again this pretty loach. With its 5-7 cm final length it is an ideal bottom fish for moderately tempered (16-22°C) community aquariums with fish of this region, like zebra danios (Danio rerio), rosy barbs (Pethia conchonius), dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia) etc..

In nature, all these species are also occasionally found together, e.g. in the shore area of rivers and lakes over sandy-stony substrate, but only P. botia colonizes streams with stronger currents. In the aquarium, P. botia are adaptable and undemanding. In contrast to many Schistura species, which occasionally become quite aggressive towards other fish, Paracanthocobitis are completely peaceful fellows.

For our customers: the fish have code. 360803 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Paracanthocobitis rubidipinnis

21. August 2019

This beautiful loach comes from Burma, where it is found in the Irrawaddy system. They are exceptionally lively animals that are constantly in action with each other. For this reason, it is not acceptable to combine fish that love peace with Paracanthocobitis rubidipinnis. The animals – they become about 6-7 cm long – are however also entertaining enough, in order to be cared for alone in a species-specific tank. Then it is best to keep them in a small group of 3-7 specimens. The tank should have a sandy and gravelly bottom and some flat, hand-sized stones should lie on the bottom. Underneath, the animals dig caves, which they defend against other animals.

In neutral mood, the species, that differs from all other members of its genus through the especially long back-fin with 13 1/2 to 15 1/2 divided fin-rays, already looks pretty enough pretty enough. But when the animal comes in reproductive mood, it becomes very dark and the fins and barbels intensively red. The females (recognizable by the stronger stomach-circumference and different shape of pectoral fins) color more intensively than the males.

We can currently offer this beautiful fish, which is best kept at room temperature (18-22°C) except for breeding, in sexually mature bred specimens.

For our customers: the animals have code 360832 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer