Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Zebra Loach
Botia striata Narayan Rao, 1920
Also called Striped loach, Botia striatus (spelling variant)
From Southern India, in the Western Ghats: the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka and the Koyna and Panchganga rivers in Maharashtra (Krishna river system).123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Compact, slightly compressed botiid loach
A small, neat loach with a pointed snout, barbels around the mouth and a small spine under each eye. Mature females are rounder and plumper than males.1
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and sociable, with a lively group life. Zebra loaches form pecking orders, click, and sometimes go pale ('greying out') during harmless status displays. They can be shy and like to have hiding places, and rarely bother other tankmates.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active bottom dwellers that explore the substrate and decor, especially at feeding time, and become bolder in a group.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Use a tight-fitting lid because they can jump. Provide a soft sandy bottom, caves and cover, clean, well-oxygenated water and regular partial water changes.13
Home where they are happiest
Seriously Fish suggests a base of 120 x 30 cm (about 108 litres); Wikipedia gives at least 75 litres. Temperature about 21 to 26 °C, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness about 1 to 12 dGH. In nature they live in clear, fast mountain streams, so good flow and oxygen suit them.123
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mainly carnivorous. Offer quality sinking foods along with frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and similar foods, plus some vegetables such as cucumber or courgette. Protein-rich foods offered in several small meals work well.13
Company who they like around
Keep at least 5 or 6 together, ideally 10 or more. Good companions are peaceful cyprinids and other calm bottom dwellers; avoid much smaller fish and slow, long-finned species.13
The story where it all began
Indian zoologist C. R. Narayan Rao described the zebra loach in 1920. It has a very small natural range in the Western Ghats and has become a well-known aquarium fish, valued for its tidy size and bold stripes.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The whole natural range of the zebra loach fits within an area of about 400 square kilometres in India's Western Ghats.3
- 2
Zebra loaches can briefly turn greyish as part of normal status displays within their group.1
- 3
Between 2005 and 2012, 382,575 zebra loaches were exported from India for the aquarium trade.3
- 4
Their mouthparts are usually reddish, a nice contrast to the yellow and dark stripes.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Endangered (assessed March 2011)2
- Taxonomy
- Family Botiidae. Described by C. R. Narayan Rao in 1920. The name striata comes from Latin for 'striped'.1
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Zebra Loach. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Zebra Loach?
Feed your zebra loach small amounts once or twice a day, as Furry Diary's starting plan suggests. They are active bottom feeders and do well with several small meals rather than one large one.13 Pet Wiki plan
What does a Zebra Loach eat, and what should it never eat?
Zebra loaches are mainly carnivorous and enjoy quality sinking foods, frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp, and some vegetables like cucumber or courgette. Avoid feeding them anything that isn't suitable for small tropical fish, and never give them large or floating foods they can't reach.13
How much space does a Zebra Loach need?
A single zebra loach needs at least 75 litres, but Seriously Fish recommends a base of 120 x 30 cm (about 108 litres) for a group. They are active bottom dwellers, so a larger tank with plenty of floor space is best.123
What temperature, light or water does a Zebra Loach need?
Keep the water temperature between 21 and 26 °C, with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness of 1 to 12 dGH. They come from clear, fast mountain streams, so good water flow and oxygenation are important, and standard aquarium lighting is fine.123
How often should I clean a Zebra Loach's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a weekly water change of about 25% and a weekly glass clean. Rinse the filter in old tank water once a month, never in tap water, to keep the environment healthy. Pet Wiki plan
Can a Zebra Loach live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and sociable. Keep at least 5 or 6 together, ideally 10 or more, and they get along with peaceful cyprinids and calm bottom dwellers. Avoid much smaller fish or slow, long-finned species.13
How long does a Zebra Loach live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a more accurate estimate, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet who knows this species well.
Can I handle a Zebra Loach?
Handling is not recommended because they are delicate fish with a small spine under each eye and can jump. It's best to leave them in the water and use a net only when necessary.13
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Kuhli LoachWhere this comes from
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
- Seriously Fish: Botia striata seriouslyfish.comused for origin, size, tank and water, diet, behaviour, colour, taxonomy
- FishBase: Botia striata summary fishbase.seused for distribution, length, environment, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Zebra loach en.wikipedia.orgused for range size, care, export figure, colour variants
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.