Sinibotia superciliaris Profile*x

[Martin Thoene]

*work in progress*

Scientific name: Sinibotia superciliaris (Günther, 1892)

Common name: Golden Chinese Loach

Synonyms: Botia superciliaris

Distribution: Western Sichuan Province and Guizhou Province, China (in the main river and tributaries of middle Yangtze river). Also the Mekong drainage in Yunnan, China.

Sexual Dimorphism: Not known

Maximum size: 6 inches (15cm)

Similar to: Sinibotia pulchra

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 variable and can sometimes lead to misidentification.

All of the fish pictured here, apart from the adult, were obtained by a contributor from a live fish food-market. It is not known if they are cultured for human consumption. The Golden coloured fish are quite common and are a colour-morph. It is believed they may be the same species as they were together at the market.


Caption: Juvenile Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Juvenile Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Adult Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Dave Rinaldo


Caption: Juvenile Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian


Caption: Golden Sinibotia superciliaris
Credit: Mian

[Jim Powers]

I've heard that this species can be a bit fiestier than pulchra. Does anyone have any practical experience and know for sure?

[Emma Turner]

Beautiful pics , but I hate to break it to you Martin, you've got the 'curse of the Sino' again! Sini sini sini!!!!

[Martin Thoene]

I am a sinnor

Editididididit.

I still think that adult pic of Dave Rinaldo's is quite possibly the most handsome loach of any Botiine species I've ever seen.

Martin.

[Emma Turner]

I agree, it's stunning.

[Jim Powers]

I've been meaning to ask, when did it change from SINO to SINI?
Did we have it wrong all along?