Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach
Aborichthys elongatus
A pebble-stream loach from the Himalayan foothills with a fondness for fast water.
About
Found in fast-flowing, pebbly hill streams around Darjeeling in West Bengal, India, Aborichthys elongatus is a slender nemacheilid loach sometimes sold under the trade names 'red-tailed striped sand loach' or 'red-tailed squirrel loach'. Its body pattern is distinctive: narrow oblique stripes running downward and backward along the flanks, a dark spot at the upper base of the caudal fin, and concentric ring markings on the tail. Worth noting is that fish sold under this name sometimes originate from neighboring Jalpaiguri District and may represent undescribed species, so what arrives at your local shop could be something taxonomically distinct. In the aquarium this species is an active digger, so any rockwork or hardscape needs to be placed securely to prevent collapses. It is loosely sociable rather than truly schooling, and a group of six or more tends to produce entertaining interactions without serious conflict, provided the tank is well-structured. It is not particularly aggressive, but its need for brisk water movement and its tendency to nip fins or outcompete slower tankmates means it is not a good fit for a general community setup. Active midwater fish like danios, devarios, and rasboras make better companions than slow or long-finned species. Breeding has not been documented in captivity.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach get?
- The Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach reaches about 1.5–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach need?
- A minimum of 14 gallons is recommended for the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach.
- What water parameters does the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach need?
- The Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach does best with a temperature of 68–82°F, a pH of 6–7.5, hardness around 4–15 dGH.
- Is the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach aggressive?
- The Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach eat?
- The Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach live?
- With good care, the Red-tailed Striped Sand Loach typically lives 6-8 years.