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Chinese elongated zebra loach

Homatula potanini

Also known as Potanin's loach, Chinese zebra stream loach

FreshwaterFish

Chinese elongated zebra loach (Homatula potanini)

Care at a glance

Temperature
61–75°F
16–24°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.3 in
13.5 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nemacheilidae
Origin
Upper Yangtze tributaries, China

Overview

The Chinese elongated zebra loach is a slender, peaceful coolwater loach that patrols the bottom and lower water column. It is a step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

The Chinese elongated zebra loach is named for Grigory Potanin, a Russian explorer who crossed Mongolia, Tibet and western China in the late 1800s. The fish was, in effect, a scientific souvenir carried home from those expeditions.

Caring for the Chinese elongated zebra loach

Give the Chinese elongated zebra loach a tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), longer than it is tall. Its size and activity call for space and a long floor rather than a small nano setup. Lay a stony bed with rounded rocks.

Keep the water cool and fresh, at 61 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, in an unheated river-style tank. Run brisk current, strong aeration and generous filtration, and do not let the tank heat up. Good oxygen and steady movement are more important than precise chemistry.

Feed sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and small meaty items. Keep a few together with subtropical, current-loving companions such as danios or coldwater minnows. Its aquarium breeding is not on record.

Good to know

Homatula potanini is a long, eel-like stone loach marked with fine dark bars down its flanks. It was described in 1925 and is the type species of the genus Homatula, a group of subtropical Chinese loaches built for current. It is also known as Potanin's loach or the Chinese zebra stream loach.

In the wild

The Chinese elongated zebra loach comes from cool, flowing tributaries of the upper Yangtze in China. That water is cooler than most tropical tanks are kept.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Chinese elongated zebra loach is a 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 Chinese elongated zebra loach need?

A Chinese elongated zebra loach needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Chinese elongated zebra loach need?

A Chinese elongated zebra loach is comfortable at 61–75°F (16–24°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Chinese elongated zebra loach eat?

A Chinese elongated zebra loach eats sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and small meaty items.

How big does a Chinese elongated zebra loach get?

An adult Chinese elongated zebra loach reaches about 5.3 in (13.5 cm).

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