Hovering Zebra Loach

About

Found in Vietnam, this small nemacheilid loach goes by a handful of trade names including 'hovering zebra loach' and 'banded dwarf loach'. Names that hint at its most appealing quirks. Unlike the majority of loaches, which tend to hug the substrate and hide, Micronemacheilus cruciatus spends a surprising amount of time out in the open, hovering in midwater and drifting between tank levels. That behavior is part of what makes a well-kept group so watchable. And a group really is the key: this species is highly social and does noticeably better in numbers of eight or more. A lone individual or a small cluster will spend most of its time skulking, while a proper group moves through the tank with much more confidence. It is worth knowing that fish tend to become shyer as they get older, retreating to cover more often with age. Because of its small size and gentle nature, it can be easily bullied or outcompeted at feeding time, so tankmates should be chosen carefully. Small, calm species like Boraras, Microdevario, or similarly sized danios fit the bill well. Breeding is achievable in a home aquarium using fine-leaved plants as a spawning medium, and fry can occasionally appear in a mature, planted setup without much effort from the keeper.