Multifasciatus Stream Loach

Schistura multifasciata is a boldly patterned Nemacheilid loach from the rivers of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, where it inhabits fast-flowing hill streams over gravel and cobble in well-oxygenated water. The species is characterised by a particularly high number of dark vertical bars — up to 15 or more — on a cream-to-tan body, which gives it the 'multifasciata' (many-banded) designation.

In the aquarium this species requires strong current and high dissolved oxygen to replicate its highland stream habitat. It is an active, engaging fish that forages constantly across the substrate. Like most Schistura it can be somewhat territorial among its own kind, and a group of five or more helps mitigate individual aggression. Tank décor of mixed fine sand and smooth pebbles with rock caves provides the ideal environment.

Feeding is straightforward: frozen bloodworm, daphnia, micro pellets, and live invertebrates are all accepted. The Multifasciatus Stream Loach is an excellent species for a South Asian hill-stream biotope alongside stone-loach gobies, danios, and hillstream loaches with similar requirements.

Water: pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 18–25°C, high oxygen, strong current. Tank: 60 L minimum; fine sand and smooth pebbles, flat rock caves, powerful filtration. Feeding: Frozen bloodworm, daphnia, micro pellets, live microinvertebrates. Breeding: Not documented in captivity. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive toward conspecifics; peaceful with dissimilar stream species.