TankBud

Black-lined loach

Ambastaia nigrolineata

Also known as Black line loach, Botia nigrolineata, Yasuhikotakia nigrolineata

FreshwaterFish

Black-lined loach (Ambastaia nigrolineata)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Botiidae
Origin
Native to the upper Mekong basin across Laos, Thailand and Yunnan in China, in clear, flowing stretches of rivers and streams.

Overview

The black-lined loach is a slim, active botia loach for the bottom of a freshwater community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The black-lined loach can make faint clicking sounds, especially at feeding time. Several of its botia relatives share the trait.

Caring for the black-lined loach

Give the black-lined loach 24 gal (90 L) or more, with wood and rock for cover. Keep the tank mature and spotless, with well-oxygenated water and some flow, since botiids react badly to poor water quality.

Hold the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It is an omnivore, taking sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp along with some vegetable matter.

The black-lined loach is active and social, and it does fine alone or in a group. It mixes well with barbs, danios, rasboras and other robust community fish that can keep up with its pace. Its eye spines can catch in nets, so take care when netting it. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The black-lined loach has been shuffled between Botia, Yasuhikotakia and now Ambastaia, a small genus split off from the botia loaches in 2012. It has a clean black stripe running the length of a silvery body. It is a close relative of the popular dwarf chain loach and shares its restless, sociable nature. Like other botiids, it has a sharp, erectile spine below each eye.

In the wild

The black-lined loach is native to the upper Mekong basin across Laos, Thailand and Yunnan in China. It lives in clear, flowing stretches of rivers and streams.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The black-lined 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 a black-lined loach need?

A black-lined loach needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a black-lined loach need?

A black-lined loach is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a black-lined loach eat?

A black-lined loach is an omnivore. It takes sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, along with some vegetable matter.

How big does a black-lined loach get?

An adult black-lined loach reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

Related species