The Zipper Loach will thrive in a planted aquarium with very clean, well-maintained, high-oxygen water of moderate or high water flow and is generally peaceful with other species of fish, although its boisterous nature can be stressful to other very passive fish. It is an excellent tank mate for most rasboras, tetras, danios, livebearers, and other schooling fish that inhabit the middle and upper levels of the water column. In a spacious tank, it can also be kept with other bottom-dwelling fish that are not too timid or prone to be outcompeted at feeding time. The Zipper Loach like most typical loach, often preys on tiny shrimp and snails. This is very useful in helping reduce “pest snails,” but must also be considered with larger ornamental snails and shrimp. While The Zipper Loach is not likely to directly prey on larger Mystery, Nerite, Trapdoor, and other snails, it may incessantly harass them, especially in a smaller tank. This can cause extreme stress and starvation in the snails over time. Please exercise care and observation if you are considering keeping the Zipper Loach with ornamental snails or shrimp. We do not recommend keeping this fish with dwarf shrimp, and we recommend caution in keeping it with larger shrimp in a smaller tank.
The Zipper Loach is a truly magnificent highlight of the aquarium under the right conditions. Its personality, appearance, and activity make it a truly exceptional species that is uniquely unrivaled.
What We Like About This Fish:
- Vivid black “zipper” pattern over gold body coloration
- Incredibly bold and active fish that almost never stops swimming and foraging
- Adaptable to a very wide temperature range
- Very active in middle and lower levels of the aquarium
- Excellent candidate for most planted aquariums
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature: 68° - 86° F (20° - 30° C). Care should be exercised to maintain high dissolved oxygen levels at the higher end of this temperature range.
- pH: 5.5 – 7.5, although some information suggests that this fish can live well at pH as high as 8.0
- KH: 5 - 12 dKH
- Minimum tank size: 30+ gallons for a small group, although 40+ gallons is more ideal due to the exceptional activity of this fish.
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Omnivore. Live and frozen meaty foods, especially frozen foods such as cyclops, Daphnia, Artemia, Tubifex, and bloodworms will all be readily accepted. High quality dry foods are also likely to be accepted. Some plant and fruit matter, such as cucumber, zucchini, blanched spinach, and melon should also be offered.
- Social behavior: MUSTbe kept in schools of 6-8+ specimens. This species exhibits complex schooling behaviour and will often become withdrawn or aggressive when kept by solitary or in smaller groups.