Commonly known as the Zebra Loach, Botia striata is a small, attractive loach species with distinctive horizontal zebra-like striping across its slender body. At 5–6cm, it is a peaceful, social bottom-dweller that thrives in well-aquascaped community tanks. Its calm temperament, striking pattern, and excellent scavenging habits make it a favorite among aquarists looking for a hardy yet eye-catching loach for medium-sized aquariums.

Native to the clear, cool streams of India, the Zebra Loach prefers a well-oxygenated, soft-bottomed aquarium with plenty of hiding places and plants. It is best kept in small groups of five or more, which helps reduce shyness and brings out its natural social behaviors.

🐠 Key Features:

• Scientific Name: Botia striata

• Common Name: Zebra Loach

• Size: 5–6cm (can grow slightly larger in optimal conditions)

• Temperament: Peaceful, social, bottom-dwelling

• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate

• Tank Level: Bottom

• Best kept in groups of 5+ to thrive

🌊 Water Conditions

Zebra Loaches need stable, well-oxygenated water and plenty of décor to mimic their natural environment.

• Temperature: 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 5–10 dGH

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (larger for groups)

• Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel

• Filtration: Moderate with gentle flow

• Lighting: Low to moderate

• Decor: Driftwood, rocks, caves, and live plants

Zebra Loaches are shy if housed alone—group living is key to their health and activity levels.

🐟 Tank Mates

Zebra Loaches are very peaceful and community-friendly, making them excellent bottom companions.

Ideal tank mates include:

• Tetras (Neon, Ember, Rummy Nose)

• Rasboras

• Gouramis

• Corydoras

• Small rainbowfish

• Peaceful barbs

Avoid:

• Large or aggressive cichlids

• Territorial bottom dwellers

• Tiny shrimp (may be eaten if hungry)

They’re excellent at coexisting with non-aggressive species and enjoy active, social tanks.

🍽️ Feeding Habits

Zebra Loaches are omnivorous scavengers, constantly foraging the substrate for food.

Ideal diet includes:

• Sinking pellets and wafers

• Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia)

• Live worms (tubifex, blackworms)

• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach)

Feed 1–2 times daily, and make sure food reaches the bottom to ensure they eat enough.

🧼 Care Tips:

• Perform regular water changes (25–30%) to maintain quality

• Provide multiple hiding places to make them feel secure

• Keep tank well-covered—though not notorious jumpers, they may explore

• Use soft substrate to protect their sensitive barbels

• Watch for signs of Ich—like most loaches, they’re prone to it

Zebra Loaches are hardy when provided with stable water and a peaceful, well-decorated environment.

🌿 Why Choose the Zebra Loach (Botia striata)?

Botia striata is the perfect loach for aquarists seeking a calm, active, and visually striking bottom dweller. Its zebra-like stripes, gentle personality, and community compatibility make it a fantastic addition to planted tanks or any peaceful freshwater aquarium.

Bring life to the lower levels of your tank—add Zebra Loaches today!

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Flame Goby (3cm) is a fiery-colored, peaceful nano fish perfect for planted tanks—ideal for community aquariums and aquascapes with gentle flow.

Product Description: Flame Goby (3cm)

The Flame Goby (Rhinogobius sp.), also known as the Red Neon Goby or Freshwater Flame Goby, is a vibrant and eye-catching nano fish that brings brilliant orange-red hues and iridescent blue accents to the bottom levels of any peaceful aquarium. Reaching only 3cm, this small yet stunning goby is ideal for aquascaped setups, nano tanks, and cool, well-oxygenated freshwater environments.

Originating from cool, fast-flowing streams in East Asia, the Flame Goby thrives in clean water with plenty of oxygen, hiding spots, and smooth substrates. Though it has the striking look of a saltwater fish, this goby is entirely freshwater and compatible with similarly calm, peaceful tank mates.

🐠 Key Features:

• Scientific Name: Rhinogobius sp.

• Common Names: Flame Goby, Red Neon Goby

• Size: 3cm (adult)

• Temperament: Peaceful, territorial with own kind

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate

• Tank Zone: Bottom

• Best kept singly or in a small group with space to establish territory

🌊 Water Conditions

Flame Gobies prefer cool, clean, flowing water that mimics their natural stream habitat.

• Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 5–12 dGH

• Tank Size: 10–20 gallons minimum

• Filtration: Moderate to strong with good oxygenation

• Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel

• Decor: Rocks, caves, driftwood, and leaf litter for hiding

They do best in low-light or shaded tanks with natural cover and minimal stress.

🐟 Tank Mates

Flame Gobies are generally peaceful, but males can be territorial. They do well in calm communities with small, non-aggressive species.

Ideal tank mates:

• White Cloud Mountain Minnows

• Pygmy Corydoras

• Small Rasboras

• Dwarf Shrimp (in low-aggression setups)

• Otocinclus

Avoid:

• Large or fast/aggressive fish

• Fin-nippers or dominant bottom dwellers

• Warm-water tropical species

If housing multiple Flame Gobies, provide ample caves and visual barriers to reduce aggression.

🍽️ Feeding Habits

Flame Gobies are micro predators and do best on a protein-rich diet consisting of small live or frozen foods.

Feeding options:

• Live or frozen baby brine shrimp

• Daphnia, bloodworms, blackworms

• Micro pellets or Repashy gel food

• Crushed high-protein flakes

Feed once or twice daily, and ensure food reaches their feeding zone on the substrate.

🧼 Care Tips:

• Keep water well-oxygenated and clean with weekly water changes (25–30%)

• Add plenty of rocks, caves, and crevices for territorial gobies

• Use a secure lid—they may jump if startled

• Monitor for aggression if more than one male is housed

• Avoid high temperatures—they are cool-water specialists

They’re hardy in stable tanks but sensitive to poor water quality or heat.

🌿 Why Choose the Flame Goby?

The Flame Goby is a rare gem in the freshwater aquarium hobby—perfect for aquarists seeking a flash of color, peaceful personality, and nano tank compatibility. Its exotic appearance, bottom-dwelling behavior, and ease of care (with proper conditions) make it a rewarding fish for small aquascaped setups or cool community tanks.

Add a fiery touch to your aquarium—bring home a Flame Goby today!