No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Skunk Botia
Yasuhikotakia morleti
📍 Southeast Asia
The Skunk Botia is a small, peaceful loach native to Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive dark body with a white or cream-colored stripe running along its back. These social fish are best kept in groups and spend much of their time foraging along the substrate, making them excellent scavengers for planted tanks. They are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for intermediate aquarists.
Care Guide
Diet
Skunk Botias are omnivorous bottom feeders that consume algae wafers, sinking pellets, and small live foods like bloodworms and daphnia. Feed once daily in amounts they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Supplement with vegetable matter such as blanched zucchini or cucumber occasionally.
Behavior
These loaches are nocturnal and crepuscular, most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours. They are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 5 to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior. They spend considerable time foraging along the substrate and in crevices, occasionally resting in caves or under plants.
Breeding
Breeding Skunk Botias in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They require specific environmental triggers and large, well-established tanks. Most specimens available in the hobby are wild-caught or farm-raised, and breeding information is limited.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy different water zones
Peaceful algae eaters that share similar bottom-dwelling habits
Compatible bottom feeders, though may compete for food
Peaceful mid-water dweller that won't compete with bottom-feeding loaches
Peaceful schooling fish that occupy middle water zones
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects
Increase water temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, use ich medication as directed
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, treat with antibacterial medication, remove sharp decorations
Bacterial Infection
Lesions on body, loss of appetite, lethargy, cloudy eyes
Perform 50% water changes daily, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, isolate affected fish if possible
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites on body
Use anti-parasitic medication, increase water changes, quarantine new fish before introduction
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Skunk Botia to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - feeds on algae wafers, sinking pellets, and small invertebrates
- lifespan
- 8-10 years
- max size
- 13 cm (5 in)
- tank size
- 40 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5-12 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)