TankBud

Torrent loach

Psilorhynchus robustus

Also known as Robust torrent minnow

FreshwaterFish

Torrent loach (Psilorhynchus robustus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–75°F
18–24°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Psilorhynchidae
Origin
Hill streams of northeastern India and Myanmar border drainages

Overview

The torrent loach is a sociable, peaceful bottom fish for a cool tank with strong flow. It is best with some experience.

Did you know

The torrent loach's loach-like look is a case of convergence. Torrent minnows are only distant relatives of true loaches. Fast water has shaped both into the same low, broad-finned body, built to cling in the current.

Caring for the torrent loach

Keep a group of several torrent loaches in a tank of 26 gal (100 L) or more, built around strong flow. Lay a bed of gravel and smooth stone under bright light, so algae grows on the stones. They hold station over the gravel in the current and dart between resting spots, much like Asian hillstream loaches.

Current and oxygen are what keep them healthy, so a still, warm tank does not suit them. Give them brisk flow and high oxygen, at 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) and a soft to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Feed sinking foods such as micro pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworm, and let them graze the biofilm and algae on the well-lit stones. The torrent loach is peaceful with tank mates it cannot swallow. It has no aquarium breeding record.

Good to know

The torrent loach, Psilorhynchus robustus, is a torrent minnow of the family Psilorhynchidae. It was described in 2007 from the Ataran drainage in Myanmar. Despite its trade name, it is not a loach at all, and its family is a separate line of cyprinoid fishes.

In the wild

The torrent loach comes from clear, fast hill streams of Myanmar and the surrounding border region. It holds position over gravel in quick, well-oxygenated water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The torrent 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 torrent loach need?

A torrent loach needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a torrent loach need?

A torrent loach is comfortable at 64–75°F (18–24°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a torrent loach eat?

A torrent loach eats sinking foods such as micro pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworm. It also grazes the biofilm and algae on well-lit stones.

How big does a torrent loach get?

An adult torrent loach reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Related species