Peacock Loach

About

Found in the rivers and streams draining the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins across Assam, Bangladesh, and Nepal, Lepidocephalichthys annandalei is an uncommon member of the true loach family Cobitidae that rarely turns up in shops. When it does appear, it's often sold under the unofficial trade name 'peacock loach', a nod to the distinctive caudal-fin patterning that sets it apart from its genus-mates: two dark, V-shaped markings plus a blotch near the upper base and another toward the outer edge of the tail. In the wild it occupies both clear, fast-moving sandy streams and slower oxbow habitats, and like other cobitids it can breathe air when conditions demand it. Despite the aggressive and territorial flags in the care data, aquarium observations suggest this species is generally peaceful toward tankmates of similar or larger size, though it may pick off eggs and fry given the chance. It does best in a group of four or more, and pairing it with active mid-to-upper-water species seems to reduce skittish behavior. One practical note worth remembering: all cobitids carry sharp sub-ocular spines that can snag in nets when the fish is stressed, so use a container rather than a net when moving them. No captive breeding has been reported so far.