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Hora's loach (Botia dayi) — Cobitidae

Hora's loach

Botia dayi
Family: Cobitidae

The Hora's loach (Botia dayi) is a fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Hora's loach is a loach (Botiidae) from clear, flowing rivers of South Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed body with dark bands, barbels around the mouth and a small, erectable spine below the eye. As a social, nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among stones and gravel for snails, insect larvae and small invertebrates. When handled the eye spine can give a light scratch. Otherwise it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hora's loach?

The Hora's loach is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Hora's loach live?

The Hora's loach is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Hora's loach get?

The Hora's loach grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Hora's loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Hora's loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Days botia sourced
English name
Hora's loach sourced
Scientific name
Botia dayi
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
10 inferred
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Botia

More from the family Cobitidae

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