Barred Loach

About

The Barred Loach (Nemacheilus fasciatus) is a small, slender loach native to the mountain streams of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia, where it spends its time picking through the substrate for benthic invertebrates and organic debris. Its common name gives away its most obvious feature. A series of dark vertical bars running along a lighter body, giving it a clean, graphic look that holds up well under aquarium lighting. In the wild it favors clear, well-oxygenated water with low to moderate flow, and replicating those conditions in the home aquarium will go a long way toward keeping this fish healthy and active. A sandy or fine-gravel substrate is a good idea, since loaches in general appreciate being able to sift and root around at the bottom. This species is rated as intermediate in care, largely because it appreciates stable, cooler water parameters and needs a well-maintained tank rather than a forgiving, flexible setup. It's not an especially aggressive fish, but like most loaches it does best with its own kind or with similarly sized, peaceful tankmates that won't compete aggressively for bottom territory. With good husbandry it can be expected to live somewhere in the five-to-eight year range, making it a reasonable commitment for a dedicated keeper.