Rosy Loach

About

Yunnanilus sp. rosy is one of those small loaches that slips through the hobby under a confusing tangle of names. You may have seen it listed as 'Tuberoschistura arakensis', Yunnanilus sp. 'orange', or 'Burmese pink loach'. Its actual taxonomic home is still being sorted out, with some authorities placing it in the genus Petruichthys based on its origins in Myanmar rather than the Yunnan plateau of southern China where most true Yunnanilus are found. The family Nemacheilidae spans much of Eurasia, but this corner of Southeast Asia is a particular hotspot for diversity. In the aquarium, this species is a genuinely peaceful and reasonably bold little fish for its size. It does best alongside similarly small, calm companions. Tiny cyprinids like Boraras, Microdevario, or Tanichthys are natural fits, and many small peaceful catfish and loaches work well too. Avoid anything large or pushy enough to outcompete it at feeding time. It's an egg-scatterer with no parental instincts, and in a well-planted mature tank the occasional fry may appear with no effort on your part. Sourcing females can be tricky since only the more colorful males tend to be exported. Overall this is a manageable and rewarding species for beginner to intermediate keepers who want something a little different from the usual nano fish lineup.