Chameleon loach

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a big, boisterous fish for a tank of 400 litres or more, kept at 23 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5, and it is aggressive toward other fish. Keep it in a group of 5 or more of its own kind to spread out squabbling, and pair only with robust, fast tankmates such as large barbs or similar loaches. It is an omnivore that eats sinking pellets, frozen foods, snails and worms. Not a community fish and not for small tanks.

In the wild

A large, powerful botia loach that reaches around 25 cm and needs serious space. It comes from flowing water and wants a big tank with a sand bed, strong filtration, good oxygen and plenty of rock and wood cover. It sifts sand with its barbels and is happiest in a mature, spotless setup.

Good to know

During disputes it loses much of its pattern and colour, a temporary fading called greying out that gives the chameleon loach its name. It carries the sharp sub-orbital spine typical of botiids, which can injure careless handlers and tear nets.

Did you know

Its taste for snails makes it a natural pest-snail controller, though its size and temper limit where it can live.

Related species

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  Redfin tiger loach

  Syncrossus berdmorei

  9.4 in (24 cm)50 gal (190 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)

• 

  Green tiger loach

  Syncrossus hymenophysa

  8.3 in (21 cm)40 gal (150 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Banded tiger loach

  Syncrossus helodes

  11.8 in (30 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)

• 

  Redtail loach

  Yasuhikotakia modesta

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• 

  Leconte's loach

  Yasuhikotakia lecontei

  5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Clown loach

  Chromobotia macracanthus

  11.8 in (30 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)