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Rosy Loach
Petruichthys sp. rosy
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cypriniformes›Cyprinidae
📍 Lake Inle, Myanmar
A tiny, lively fish with a warm rosy-pink hue and endearing behaviour. Despite the common name, it is technically a cyprinid, not a true loach. Extremely active and playful in groups, ideal for nano planted tanks.
Care Guide
Diet
Rosy Loaches are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Supplement occasionally with blanched vegetables like zucchini to support digestive health.
Behavior
These tiny, active loaches are highly social and must be kept in groups of at least 6 to display natural schooling behavior and reduce stress. Males develop vibrant rosy-red coloration when healthy and establish loose hierarchies within the group. They are bottom-dwellers that spend most of their time foraging along the substrate and mid-water, making them entertaining to observe in planted tanks.
Breeding
Breeding Rosy Loaches in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very specific water conditions, dense vegetation, and stable temperatures to trigger spawning. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food, making successful rearing challenging for most hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and preference for warm water make them ideal companions
Tiny, non-aggressive, and thrive in the same warm nano tank conditions
Peaceful algae grazers that occupy different tank zones and won't compete for food
Small, peaceful invertebrates that complement loach groups without aggression
Low-growing plant provides cover and foraging opportunities without blocking movement
Hardy plant that creates shelter and won't be uprooted by active loach foraging
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove uneaten food, treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Bacterial Infection
Sores on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform 50% water change immediately, maintain pristine water conditions, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic if condition worsens
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, clamped fins
Quarantine affected fish, treat with anti-parasitic medication, maintain elevated temperature and perform frequent water changes
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Micro omnivore – micro pellets, crushed flake, baby brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 3 cm (1.2 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- school size
- 8+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- temperature
- 68–77°F (20–25°C)