Skunk Loach

About

Hora's Loach (Yasuhikotakia morleti) is one of the more frequently encountered members of the family Botiidae in the hobby, though its reputation for assertiveness means it demands more thought than most community fish. Native to the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Meklong river systems of Southeast Asia, it naturally inhabits medium to large rivers, seeking out rocky crevices and burrowing beneath logs and stones in sandy-bottomed habitats. It feeds primarily on mollusks and benthic invertebrates in the wild, and that carnivorous nature carries through to the aquarium. The most recognizable feature is a dark stripe running along the dorsal surface from snout to tail. The source of the alternate name skunk loach. Juveniles display vertical flank bars that fade with age. This species is legitimately aggressive, prone to fin-nipping and harassing quieter tankmates, and it genuinely needs a group of at least five or six individuals to distribute that social tension. Kept in smaller numbers, the dominant fish can bully others into refusing food. Suitable tankmates are active, robust mid-to-upper water fish like larger rasboras or barbs, while slow-moving or long-finned species should be avoided entirely. Expect digging, odd resting angles, and nocturnal activity. These loaches can live well over a decade, so the commitment here is real.