Twin-spot loach

Nemacheilus binotatus

Also known as Two-spot stone loach

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 2.8 in (7 cm)
Minimum tank: 24 gal (90 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Mekong basin, Thailand and Laos
Family: Nemacheilidae

Overview

This is an undemanding stone loach for a warm river tank, best kept as a small group so each fish has a stretch of floor to patrol. It is social and mostly peaceful, and a settled group interacts steadily without serious aggression. Keep it with other calm, current-loving stream fish over an open floor of sand and stone with plenty of gaps for shelter. It hugs the bottom, tasting the substrate as it goes, and takes sinking granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia readily. Give it a tank of around 90 liters with brisk flow and good oxygen.

In the wild

Nemacheilus binotatus lives in streams of the Mekong and neighbouring river basins in Thailand and nearby Laos, shallow flowing water over sand and stone. Recreate that with 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, steady current, and high oxygen. A sand floor with water-worn rocks and roots gives the fish the nooks and shaded spots it likes, and it dislikes any buildup of waste, so keep the water clean.

Good to know

This stone loach of the family Nemacheilidae reaches about 6 to 7 centimeters. Its name, binotatus, means two-marked and refers to its two dark lengthwise lines: one running along the back and one along the midline through the eye to the tail. It is an omnivore that feeds on small invertebrates in the wild. Home-aquarium breeding has not been recorded.

Did you know

The two marks behind its name are not spots but a pair of dark lines running the length of the body, one along the spine and one through the eye, common striping that helps break the fish up against a stony streambed.

Tank mates

Twin-spot loach is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.