TankBud

Forktail spiny loach

Lepidocephalichthys furcatus

Also known as Forked-tail loach, Hog loach

FreshwaterFish

Forktail spiny loach (Lepidocephalichthys furcatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cobitidae
Origin
Mekong and Chao Phraya basins and the Malay Peninsula

Overview

The forktail spiny loach is a peaceful little loach for the bottom of a small community tank. It is a good loach for a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

When its shallow pools grow warm and stale, the forktail spiny loach darts to the surface and swallows a mouthful of air. It absorbs oxygen through its intestine, in effect breathing with its gut when its gills are not enough.

Caring for the forktail spiny loach

A group of forktail spiny loaches is comfortable in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more. A planted tank with a fine sand floor, leaf litter and gentle flow suits them. Soft cover and shade help this shy fish spend more time in the open.

Hold the temperature at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. The forktail spiny loach potters over the floor rather than dashing about, sifting sand and litter for tiny prey. Feed sinking granules, crushed wafers and frozen bloodworm or daphnia, delivered near the substrate.

Keep a group of five or six, which forage together. It is peaceful and mixes safely with the smallest tank mates. Give it calm company such as pygmy rasboras or small tetras, and nothing that will out-compete it at feeding time. Aquarium breeding is not on record.

Good to know

The forktail spiny loach, Lepidocephalichthys furcatus, belongs to the spiny loach family Cobitidae. Its species name means forked, for the clearly notched tail that sets it apart from most of its relatives.

In the wild

The forktail spiny loach lives in slow, often vegetated lowland waters of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins and the Malay Peninsula. It is found among swamps, ditches and quiet stream edges.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The forktail spiny 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 forktail spiny loach need?

A forktail spiny loach needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a forktail spiny loach need?

A forktail spiny loach is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a forktail spiny loach eat?

A forktail spiny loach sifts sand and litter for tiny prey. Feed it sinking granules, crushed wafers and frozen bloodworm or daphnia near the substrate.

How big does a forktail spiny loach get?

An adult forktail spiny loach reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species