Tiger loach

About

Found threading through shallow, fast-moving waters over pebble beds, Acanthocobitis urophthalmus is a small loach endemic to a narrow stretch of Sri Lanka's southwestern lowlands, ranging from the Kelani River down to the Nilwala River. That restricted natural range makes it a genuinely regional species, and one worth appreciating as such. It stays small, adults rarely push past an inch and a half, which makes it a workable choice for modestly sized aquariums, provided there's enough flow and a sandy or fine-gravel bottom to satisfy its bottom-dwelling instincts. In the wild it likely picks off small invertebrates and organic matter from the substrate, so a varied carnivore diet with quality prepared and live or frozen foods will keep it in good shape. Temperament-wise, this is a peaceful, active fish that spends most of its time close to the bottom, nosing around in typical loach fashion. It coexists well with similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. Care is rated intermediate, largely because replicating decent water movement and maintaining clean, well-oxygenated conditions matters more with small bottom-dwellers than beginners sometimes expect. Lifespan runs around two to three years under good husbandry.