Aizawl loach
Schistura aizawlensis
Also known as Mizoram stone loach, Glitter loach
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Tuirial drainage near Aizawl, Mizoram, India
- Family
- Nemacheilidae
Overview
Give each fish a territory of rocks and crevices; small groups work when the floor has enough features to divide. Sinking granules and frozen foods disappear fast. Skip slow bottom feeders that cannot hold their own at dinner.
In the wild
This stone loach comes from hill streams near Aizawl in Mizoram, northeast India, where clear water runs over gravel and bedrock. Keep it with current and oxygen at 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, a stone-and-sand floor, and pH 6.5 to 7.5.
Good to know
Schistura aizawlensis was described in 2013 from the Tuirial drainage and reaches about 6 centimeters. Regular dark bars over a pale body fit the classic Schistura template that makes this enormous genus so tricky to sort.
Did you know
Schistura is one of the largest fish genera on Earth, with well over two hundred species, and this one carries the name of the hill city nearest its stream.
Tank mates
Aizawl loach is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Crevice catfish
Amblyceps mangoisFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Indian glassy fish
Parambassis rangaFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)
Ornate rainbowfish
Rhadinocentrus ornatusFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)Canius barb
Pethia caniusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Inle loach
Yunnanilus brevisFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Black widow tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetziFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Aizawl loach need?
An Aizawl loach needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Aizawl loach need?
Aizawl loach are comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
How big do Aizawl loach get?
An adult Aizawl loach reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Aizawl loach?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Aizawl loach fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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Related species
Nilgiri loach
Schistura nilgiriensisFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)
Devdevi loach
Schistura devdeviFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Cloud loach
Schistura nubigenaFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Savona loach
Schistura savonaFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Pridi loach
Schistura pridiiFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Sparkling loach
Schistura coruscansFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)