Chameleon loach
Syncrossus beauforti
Also known as Beaufort's loach, Chameleon botia, Botia beauforti, Beaufort's Leopard Loach
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal
- 400 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Botiidae
- Origin
- Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins across Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, in flowing rivers and streams over sand and gravel.
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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Chameleon loach need?
A Chameleon loach needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Chameleon loach need?
A Chameleon loach is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Chameleon loach get?
An adult Chameleon loach reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
Related species
9.4 in (24 cm)50 gal (190 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Redfin tiger loach
Syncrossus berdmorei
9.4 in (24 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
8.3 in (21 cm)40 gal (150 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)Green tiger loach
Syncrossus hymenophysa
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11.8 in (30 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)Banded tiger loach
Syncrossus helodes
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9.8 in (25 cm)75 gal (285 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Redtail loach
Yasuhikotakia modesta
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5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Leconte's loach
Yasuhikotakia lecontei
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