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Aizawl loach

Schistura aizawlensis

Also known as Mizoram stone loach, Glitter loach

FreshwaterFish

Aizawl loach (Schistura aizawlensis)

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
Family
Nemacheilidae
Origin
Tuirial drainage near Aizawl, Mizoram, India

Overview

The Aizawl loach is a small, territorial stone loach for the rocky floor of a tank with current. It needs a little more care than the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Aizawl loach belongs to Schistura, one of the largest fish genera on Earth, with well over two hundred species. It carries the name of the hill city nearest its stream.

Caring for the Aizawl loach

Give the Aizawl loach a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L) with a stone-and-sand floor. Each fish needs a territory of rocks and crevices. Small groups work when the floor has enough features to divide.

Keep it with current and plenty of oxygen, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods, which disappear fast.

It is mostly peaceful and safe with community fish. Skip slow bottom feeders that cannot hold their own at feeding time.

Good to know

Schistura aizawlensis was described in 2013 from the Tuirial drainage. Regular dark bars over a pale body fit the classic Schistura pattern, which makes the genus so tricky to sort. It is also known as the Mizoram stone loach or glitter loach.

In the wild

The Aizawl loach comes from hill streams near Aizawl in Mizoram, northeast India. There, clear water runs over gravel and bedrock.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Aizawl loach is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

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 does an Aizawl loach need?

An Aizawl loach is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does an Aizawl loach eat?

An Aizawl loach eats sinking granules and frozen foods. The food disappears fast, so slow bottom feeders cannot hold their own beside it.

How big does an Aizawl loach get?

An adult Aizawl loach reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species