Scientific name: Sinibotia pulchra (Wu, 1939)
Common name: 12-banded Chinese Loach, Golden Chinese Loach
Synonyms: Botia superciliaris, Botia gigantea, Botia pulchra
Distribution: China
Sexual Dimorphism: Not known
Maximum size: 4 inches
Similar to: Leptobotia guilinensis
Care: This family of fish are sub-tropical and live in fast to medium flow streams throughout China. They therefore appreciate current in their aquarium, good aeration and filtration.
Feeding: Easy to feed. Eagerly accepts all proprietary aquarium foods.
Water parameters: pH: 7.0- 8.0 Hardness: Medium Max dh:
Temperature: 68ºF to 75ºF (20-23.8°C)
Breeding: Not bred in aquaria.
Notes: This species is like an elongated Botia in general shape. The highly flexible body allows the fish to squeeze through narrow gaps between stones and make seemingly impossible tight turns around obstacles. They like to hide under rocks, so their aquarium should be furnished with lots of large pebbles and flat pieces of slate or other inert rock to provide multiple places for the fish to hide and provide security.
The striping on this species is very highly variable and can sometimes lead to misidentification.
The species is very well-behaved and can be mixed with such fish as Hillstream Loaches as they will not hurt the smaller fish. They will revel in the fast water conditions required by Hillstream species.
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra showing its incredible flexibility
Credit: Martin Thoene
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Martin Thoene
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Martin Thoene
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Martin Thoene
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Emma Turner
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Emma Turner
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Martin Thoene
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Emma Turner
Caption: Sinibotia pulchra. A fine example of the flexibility of this species.
Credit: Mark Macdonald
Caption:Sinibotia pulchra
Credit: Mian
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