Blacklined Loach

Yasuhikotakia nigrolineata is a slender, attractively marked loach characterised by a series of sharp black longitudinal lines against a silvery-cream body. It is found in the Mekong drainage across Laos and Thailand, where it inhabits slow-to-moderate current rivers with sand and silt substrates enriched by leaf litter and submerged wood.

In the aquarium this species is a pleasing addition to Southeast Asian biotope or planted community setups. It is peaceful and active, spending much of its day foraging across the substrate and investigating every crevice in the tank. Like all Yasuhikotakia, it thrives in groups and becomes noticeably bolder when kept with at least five conspecifics.

Nigrolineata is not difficult to feed: good-quality sinking pellets, frozen cyclops, daphnia, and occasional bloodworm are all accepted. Consistent water parameters and pristine water quality are important to prevent condition deterioration over the long term.

Water: pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–27°C, soft to moderate hardness, clean water with low nitrates. Tank: 80 L minimum; fine sand, leaf litter, driftwood, and live plants provide the ideal environment. Feeding: Micro sinking pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm, and occasional live invertebrates. Breeding: No captive breeding documented. Compatibility: Peaceful with most community fish; avoid very small nano species as tankmates.