Banded Mountain Loach

Schistura balteata is a strikingly banded stream loach with alternating dark and pale vertical bars on a streamlined body evolved for life in fast-moving mountain streams. Like many Schistura species, it can be territorial toward conspecifics, so providing ample hiding spots and broken sight lines is important. It is rewarding to keep in a well-designed cool hillstream biotope.

Water: 20-26°C, pH 6.5-7.5, well-oxygenated with moderate flow. Tank: Minimum 80 L, smooth rounded pebbles and gravel, slate caves. Feeding: Small sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, live worms, daphnia. Behaviour: Territorial with own species; solitary or well-spaced pairs work best. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive toward own kind; peaceful with dissimilar species.