Hora's Loach (Botia kubotai)

Botia kubotai, the Polka-Dot Loach or Marble Loach, is a strikingly patterned species from the Ataran River system of Myanmar and Thailand, with large, rounded black spots and blotches distributed over a warm golden-yellow body. It is a sociable loach that becomes notably more confident, displays fuller coloration, and engages in natural schooling behavior when kept in groups of 4 or more. Regular water changes, a protein-rich diet, and the company of conspecifics maintain its best condition and most natural behavior.

House in groups of at least 4 in a spacious aquarium (minimum 150 L) with a sandy substrate, driftwood caves, and smooth river pebbles. Maintain pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 24–28°C, moderate hardness. Feed varied omnivore foods: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, shrimp, and snails. This species is an active snail hunter and will rapidly reduce snail populations. Can be semi-aggressive with own species; provide plenty of shelter to reduce squabbles.