Black-lined loach
Ambastaia nigrolineata
Also known as Black line loach, Botia nigrolineata, Yasuhikotakia nigrolineata
FreshwaterFish
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
- 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
Keep a group of at least 5 in a tank of 90 litres or more with wood and rock cover, at 22 to 27 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is an omnivore, taking sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp along with some vegetable matter. Active and social, it mixes well with barbs, danios, rasboras and other robust community fish that can keep up with its pace.
In the wild
A slim, active botia loach growing to around 8 cm, with 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. Well-oxygenated water with some flow and a spotless, mature tank keep it healthy, as botiids react badly to poor water quality.
Good to know
It has been shuffled between Botia, Yasuhikotakia and now Ambastaia, a small genus split off from the botia loaches in 2012. Like other botiids it has a sharp, erectile spine below each eye that can catch in nets.
Did you know
It can make faint clicking sounds, especially at feeding time, a trait shared with several of its botia relatives.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Black molly
Poecilia sphenops
FreshwaterBrackish4.7 in (12 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Shelford's kuhli loach
Pangio shelfordii
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Spotfin hatchetfish
Thoracocharax stellatus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Twin-spot loach
Nemacheilus binotatus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
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.
How big does a Black-lined loach get?
An adult Black-lined loach reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)Dwarf botia
Ambastaia sidthimunki
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.3 in (8.5 cm)37 gal (140 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Skunk loach
Yasuhikotakia morleti
3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)37 gal (140 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Zebra loach
Botia striata
3.5 in (9 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)37 gal (140 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Chinese golden zebra loach
Sinibotia pulchra
3.9 in (10 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)37 gal (140 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Sichuan golden loach
Sinibotia reevesae
4.3 in (11 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)37 gal (140 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Spottail loach
Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata
4.3 in (11 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)