Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach
Petruichthys brevis
A tiny loach from Myanmar's famous Inle Lake, best kept in groups.
About
Found only in the shallow, vegetation-choked waters of Inle Lake and the surrounding He-Ho plain in Myanmar's Southern Shan States, this small nemacheilid loach, Petruichthys brevis, is sometimes sold under the trade name 'Lake Inle red-tailed loach.' It was previously classified within the genus Yunnanilus before taxonomic revisions moved Myanmar's representatives into their own genus. In the wild it inhabits still or gently moving water with dense bottom and floating plant growth, and a well-planted aquarium with driftwood and a reasonably coarse substrate will suit it well. Despite being listed as aggressive, hobbyist experience suggests it is actually more likely to be the one getting pushed around. Larger or boisterous tankmates can intimidate it and outcompete it at feeding time. Keeping it in a group with similar-sized schooling fish appears to bring out more confident, active behavior. It has been bred in mature, decorated community setups, where a rich arrangement of plants and wood gives eggs and fry at least some chance of surviving without intervention. The wide pH and hardness tolerance makes this an accessible species for newer keepers who can provide appropriate, calm tankmates and a well-established setup.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach get?
- The Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach reaches about 1.5–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach need?
- A minimum of 21 gallons is recommended for the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach need?
- The Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach does best with a temperature of 68–81°F, a pH of 6–8.5, hardness around 3–20 dGH.
- Is the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach aggressive?
- The Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach eat?
- The Lake Inle Red-tailed Loach is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.