Botia Histrionica

Datasheet

Behaviour:

Botia histrionica is not particularly aggressive but should not be housed with significantly smaller fishes as they may feel intimidated by its size and active behavior. Slow-moving, long-finned species like ornamental bettas and guppies should also be avoided as their trailing fins might be nipped. Suitable tankmates include peaceful, open water-dwelling cyprinids, members of Barilius, Luciosoma, Balantiocheilos, Barbonymus, various Botia, and in larger tanks, Chromobotia macracanthus. Botia species are social and need to be kept in groups of at least 5 to 6 specimens, preferably 10 or more, to prevent potential aggression issues among tankmates. They exhibit complex social hierarchies and require regular contact with conspecifics to thrive, displaying various behavioural rituals in aquarium settings.

Feeding and Diet:

While Botia histrionica is primarily carnivorous, they will also consume vegetative matter, including soft-leaved aquatic plants. Their diet in the wild consists of aquatic molluscs, insects, worms, and other invertebrates. In captivity, they should be offered a varied diet comprising quality dried products, live or frozen foods like bloodworms, Tubifex, Artemia, and fresh fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, melon, and blanched spinach. Homemade gelatin-bound foods are also recommended. They may prey on aquatic snails but should never be solely relied upon for snail control. Once acclimated, they are bold feeders and will readily accept a diverse diet.

Reproduction & Dimorphism:

Botia histrionica has not been commonly bred in home aquariums, like most botiid loaches. Commercial breeding involving the use of hormones has been moderately successful, but it has led to the appearance of hybrids, including crosses between B. histrionica and Chromobotia macracanthus. Sexually mature females are typically fuller-bodied with rounded snouts, whereas males have elongated snouts and fleshier lips, allowing for visual differentiation between the sexes.

Habitat and Distribution:

These loaches are found in the Indian state of Manipur, Yunnan Province in China (upper Ayeyarwady River basin), and throughout Myanmar, including the Ayeyarwady, Sittaung, Salween, and Ataran river drainages. Their habitat consists of slow-flowing sections of forest-shaded, well-oxygenated headwaters with clear water, a mixed sand and rock substrate, submerged driftwood, and leaf litter. Populations from various rivers display differing patterning, hinting at potential distinct species in the future. The distribution of Botia species extends from the Indus River basin in Pakistan across northern India to Myanmar, including numerous river systems, with some variations in geographical forms.