Tri Band Sumo Loach
Schistura cf balteata
Also known as: Chubby Loach, Sumo II
A boldly patterned Myanmar loach that comes in pink or yellow. Nobody knows why.
About
The Tri Band Sumo Loach (Schistura cf. balteata) is one of those fish that raises more questions than answers, and that's a big part of its appeal. This apparently undescribed species from the Ataran River drainage in Myanmar, a tributary system of the Salween River, has been circulating in the hobby since around 2006 under a rotating cast of trade names, including 'Sumo II' and 'chubby loach'. That 'Sumo II' label exists to separate it from the true S. balteata, since both have been sold as 'sumo loach' and are easy to mix up at first glance. Look closer, though, and this fish is smaller, brighter, and a bit calmer in temperament. What really sets it apart is a genuinely puzzling colour polymorphism: some individuals display vivid pink vertical bars on the rear half of the body, others carry yellow bars instead, and both forms occur together in the same wild populations with no clear link to sex or any competitive purpose anyone has worked out yet. Tankmates need some thought. Slow or long-finned fish, and peaceful bottom-dwellers like Corydoras, tend to come off worse in a setup built around this species. Fast-moving open-water schoolers such as Danio or Pethia make far better companions, and keeping this loach in a group with plenty of rocky hiding spots helps reduce territorial friction.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Tri Band Sumo Loach
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Tri Band Sumo Loach get?
- The Tri Band Sumo Loach reaches about ~3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Tri Band Sumo Loach need?
- A minimum of 21 gallons is recommended for the Tri Band Sumo Loach, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Tri Band Sumo Loach need?
- The Tri Band Sumo Loach does best with a temperature of 72–79°F, hardness around 2–12 dGH.
- Is the Tri Band Sumo Loach aggressive?
- The Tri Band Sumo Loach is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Tri Band Sumo Loach eat?
- The Tri Band Sumo Loach is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.