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Flathead loach

Nemacheilus platiceps

Also known as Flat-headed stone loach, Checkerboard loach

FreshwaterFish

Flathead loach (Nemacheilus platiceps)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.9 in
7.3 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nemacheilidae
Origin
Mekong basin

Overview

The flathead loach is a mostly peaceful bottom loach for a warm tank with good current. It takes a little more care than a beginner fish.

Did you know

The flathead loach's flattened head is more than a name. Its low profile helps it hold its position in fast water and slip into narrow gaps under rocks, where the current cannot dislodge it.

Caring for the flathead loach

Give a small group of flathead loaches a tank of 24 gal (90 L) or more, with good flow and plenty of low shelter. Lay a firm gravel and sand floor with flat rocks that have gaps beneath, and it will use every crevice. It spends much of its day pressed low against the stones with the current combing over it, darting out for food.

Keep the water warm, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Run moderate to strong current, and keep the water clean and rich in oxygen.

Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small meaty foods. The flathead loach is mostly peaceful and sociable. Keep it with calm midwater tank mates that share its warm, flowing water. Its spawning has not been recorded in the aquarium.

Good to know

Nemacheilus platiceps takes its name from the Latin for flat head, after its low, broad skull. Maurice Kottelat described it in 1990, during a major revision of Indochinese stone loaches. It belongs to the family Nemacheilidae.

In the wild

The flathead loach lives in the lower Mekong basin, across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is found in flowing stretches with gravel bottoms and, in places, in quieter pools among submerged leaves and wood.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The flathead 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a flathead loach need?

A flathead loach needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a flathead loach need?

A flathead loach is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a flathead loach eat?

A flathead loach eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small meaty foods.

How big does a flathead loach get?

An adult flathead loach reaches about 2.9 in (7.3 cm).

Related species