Loach

[Cola]

Hi, has anyone heard of a Perinni Loach? If so, please give me some advice on how to take care of it. Thanks Al

[Martin Thoene]

Hi Cola, and welcome to LOL. I moved your post from the Species Description Forum to here.

My best guess to your question is Leptobotia pelligrini.

Photo by Ken Childs.

Is this the fish?

Martin.

[cola]

Hi Martin, that looks just like the one I saw. What are the specifics in taking care of it. I would like to put it in with some South American cichlids including pike. What do you think?

[cola]

Martin, is this a rare loach, or is it common. The fish store told me they are very rare and never seen in the aquarium trade.

[Martin Thoene]

Well....relatively rare. that photo was taken at Dolphin Aquatics in LA back in 2003 (I think). They most certainly are not common.

Leptobotia pelligrini, like almost all the Chinese loaches can ostensibly be regarded as a coldwater, more accurately...unheated water fish. They need lots of hiding places under rocks and roots or bogwood, and good water flow giving excellent oxygenation.

I know a lot of these Leptobotia can get fairly big and have large mouths. Small fish would be in danger.

You cannot keep these fish with South American Cichlids unfortunately as the cichlids require too high a water temperature for the loaches.

Martin.

[cola]

Martin, thanks for all the info on the loach. I am going to pick him up and keep the water cold, and plenty of hiding spaces for him, Can they eat frozen food such as brine shrimp or krill, or do they need live food. Also can you put more than one together in the same tank, or other loaches in the same tank with him.