Chinese emperor loach

Parabotia maculosus

Also known as Parabotia maculosa, Spotted parabotia

FreshwaterFish

Chinese emperor loach (Parabotia maculosus) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 64–79°F (18–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 7.9 in (20 cm)
Minimum tank: 70 gal (265 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Yangtze and Pearl river systems, China
Family: Botiidae

Overview

This is a lively, subtropical botiid that lives on the bottom and does best in the company of its own kind, so plan on a group of four to six or more; single fish turn withdrawn or start picking on similar-shaped tankmates. It is mostly peaceful but boisterous and fast, so choose tankmates with care: sturdy, active midwater fish rather than slow or long-finned ones, and nothing small enough to bully. It stays busy sifting the floor and rooting through cover, taking sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, and the odd snail. Give it cool, well-oxygenated water with room to cruise, so a tank of about 265 liters or larger suits a group.

In the wild

The Chinese emperor loach ranges through the Yangtze and Pearl river systems of China, subtropical waters that run cooler than a typical tropical tank. Copy a flowing river reach: a sand or fine gravel floor, smooth rounded rocks and driftwood arranged into caves and channels, and brisk, oxygen-rich flow from a strong filter. It suits unheated or lightly heated rooms, holding well from about 18 to 26 degrees Celsius at pH 6.0 to 7.5. Keep nitrate low with regular water changes, since this fish resents stale water.

Good to know

Parabotia maculosus belongs to the Botiidae, the true botiid loaches, and reaches about 20 centimeters. Like its relatives it carries a sharp, movable spine below each eye that flicks out when the fish is stressed or netted, so it is best moved in a container rather than a net. Its scientific name circulates in both maculosus and maculosa spellings. There is no aquarium breeding record, and imported fish are wild-caught.

Did you know

The emperor in its name is trade flattery, but a settled group really does parade the tank in loose formation, and these loaches are long-lived, often passing fifteen years in good care.