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Striped loach (Parabotia fasciata) — Cobitidae

Striped loach

Parabotia fasciata
Family: Cobitidae

The Striped loach (Parabotia fasciata) is a fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 15 cm.

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

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Description

The striped loach is a botiid loach (Botiidae) from clear rivers and streams of East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, yellow-brown body with dark crossbars and barbels around the mouth; below the eye it bears an erectable spine. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among gravel and stones for snails, worms and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped loach?

The Striped loach is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Striped loach live?

The Striped loach is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Striped loach get?

The Striped loach grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Striped loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Striped loach (Parabotia fasciata) — Cobitidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) tianyang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped loach sourced
Scientific name
Parabotia fasciata
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
15
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Parabotia

More from the family Cobitidae

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