Skunk Botia

[dixaisy930]

I've been seeing skunk botias more and moer lately is the lfs around here. I've always liked the looks of them, but was told there were a relatively aggressive fish. However, I've read in a few different places, that they've gotten a bad wrap. Which one is it? I'd like to ehar some first hand accounts with this fish. I'd really like to add some to my tank. Thanks.

 

[Doggfather]

wait for Ryan to read this and you'll get more information than you'll ever need

 

[ryan]

Botia morleti is a nice species of Loach reaching up to 4" in size so it can be far more easily housed than the larger species like Clown Loaches. However, they have earn't themselves and aggressive reputation which IME can be true if the group of fish is not larger enough or if only one individual is kept in which case aggressive behavior may appear. But when kept in a larger group of 4-6 I have had no trouble from them and they have peaceful nocturnal tank dwellers and make a good addition to a tank. But I would go as far to say that it is not as bad as Botia modesta which can be another so called 'community' Loach which is actually rather aggressive.

What fish were you planning to keep them with?

 

[Gourami Lover88]

Skunk Loaches are great little fish, they have never hurt\harassed any of my longfinned Gourami. They are nocturnal though, I do see them at times, they are always playing or rooting around in the sand

I would recomend them.

 

[Dwarfs]

had one who got my bettas tail from 1 inch to a half an inch in one night, they soon after died of unrelated causes

 

[dixaisy930]

I have a 65 gallon tank, and was planning on keeping them with danios, gouramis, mollys, corys, white-cheeked goby, african dwarf frogs, yo-yo loach, and rams.

 

[ryan]

I have a 65 gallon tank, and was planning on keeping them with danios, gouramis, mollys, corys, white-cheeked goby, african dwarf frogs, yo-yo loach, and rams.

It should work, personally I would try it. But buy a group of at least four and make sure you are prepared to move them if anything else happens.