Blue Botia

About

The blue botia (Yasuhikotakia modesta) is one of the more regularly available botiid loaches in the hobby, and once you understand its social needs it can be a genuinely rewarding fish to keep. Native to the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Mae Khlong drainages of Southeast Asia, it inhabits large, muddy-bottomed rivers and seasonally flooded fields, and it is a surprisingly strong migratory fish in the wild. Undertaking long seasonal movements that appear to be triggered by shifting water levels. In the aquarium you will notice two colour forms, a red-finned and a yellow-finned variant, with both considered the same species for now. Be aware that some imported specimens are sold dyed bright blue or purple under names like 'blueberry loach'. These fish are best avoided for welfare reasons and are outright illegal in several countries. Like all Yasuhikotakia, this species must be kept in groups of at least five or six, ideally more. Lone individuals or small groups can become withdrawn or harass tankmates, while a proper group will display fascinating social behaviours including a dominance hierarchy, audible clicking, and the curious 'shadowing' behaviour where younger fish swim in tight formation alongside older ones. Slow or long-finned tankmates are a poor match, but active mid-water cyprinids and robust bottom dwellers generally work well. Intermediate-level experience is recommended.