From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Dwarf Chain Loach
Ambastaia sidthimunki
- Temperature
- 20–30 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 90 L
- Lifespan
- 8-12 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
Endangered on the IUCN Red List. That describes the wild population — the criteria cover only wild populations inside their natural range, and captive-bred fish are not assessed. Captive-bred stock is widely available and takes nothing from the wild population.
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Ambastaia sidthimunki |
| Family: | Botiidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (Thailand and the Mekong/Salween basins) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 6.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — this is a wild-type fish and the chain pattern is not something breeding has altered. Individual variation in the boldness of the chain markings is modest. Nearly all trade fish are commercially produced by hormone induction, which is a rare case of the practice being straightforwardly good news: it supplies a popular fish without pressure on a restricted, potentially endangered wild population. The species has moved genus. It was long placed in Botia and then Yasuhikotakia, and is now Ambastaia sidthimunki, so older books and shop labels use all three. Ambastaia nigrolineata is the other member of the genus and appears occasionally. Among the other botiids commonly traded, the zebra loach reaches 90 mm, the polka dot loach around 13 cm, the yoyo 16 cm and the clown loach 40 cm. All are social, all need groups, and only this one and the zebra genuinely suit an average tank. Beware anything sold simply as "dwarf loach" — several unrelated species use the name. |
| Lifespan: | 8-12 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:90 L
- Substrate:Soft sand; caves and hiding spots
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate to high (clean, oxygenated water)
Dwarf Chain Loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) is a species of fish in the family Botiidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (Thailand and the Mekong/Salween basins). The dwarf chain loach is the botiid that fits any tank, and it is every bit as engaging as its huge relatives. It reaches 60 mm standard length — against 90 mm for a zebra loach, 160 mm for a yoyo and 400 mm for a clown loach — while giving the same social, busy, endlessly interactive behaviour. Ten of them fit a 72-litre tank. It is patterned with a chain of dark blotches along the back that gives it its name, and it is unusual among loaches for spending much of its time in open water rather than hugging the bottom. Its wild status is worth knowing. It appears to be restricted to the Mae Klong river basin in western Thailand and the Ataran drainage, it is potentially endangered, and the Thai localities are kept secret for conservation purposes. The fish in shops are commercially produced by hormone induction rather than collected.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Dwarf Chain Loach
Matched on family, then category, then water type