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Contents
Overview
The dwarf chain loach is the smallest botia in the hobby: just 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) of golden body with a black chain-like pattern along the back and sides. It comes from rivers in northern Thailand and Laos in the Mekong basin, where it is now endangered due to habitat loss. Fortunately, almost all fish in the trade are farm bred.
Unlike many loaches, it often swims in midwater as a group, out in the open and during the day, which makes it very showy. It is peaceful, social and playful, an excellent pick if you want botia behavior in a reasonably sized tank. All it asks for is clean, stable water and plenty of its own kind.
Care and tank setup
A group of 6 or more (8-10 is better) does well in a mature 20-gallon long (80 L) tank or larger, about 30 inches long, with a heater, good filtration and some current.
- Substrate: fine sand or smooth gravel so it can sift without damaging its barbels.
- Decor: driftwood, smooth stones, small caves and plants. It leaves all plants alone.
- Water: very clean and well oxygenated, with weekly partial changes. Don't add it to a brand-new tank.
- Tank mates: small, peaceful fish such as rasboras, tetras, danios or honey gouramis. It is fine with adult shrimp, though it may take the odd shrimplet, and it eats small snails.
A common mistake is keeping only two or three, which turn shy and rarely show themselves. Like other loaches, it is sensitive to copper and malachite green, so reduce doses if you need to treat.
Feeding
An omnivore. It accepts small sinking wafers, micro pellets and flakes, and benefits from small frozen or live foods several times a week, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia or cyclops. Since it also swims in midwater it competes well at feeding time, but make sure some food reaches the bottom. It eats small snails, which helps keep pest snails in check.
Breeding
Spawning in home aquariums is practically unheard of, with only isolated documented cases. Commercial fish are produced on Asian farms using hormone induction, which has eased pressure on the scarce wild populations. Adult females are slightly larger and rounder than males. Buying captive-bred fish is the most responsible choice.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Dwarf chain loach. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Ember tetra Hyphessobrycon amandae 11 gal (40 L) · 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Dwarf chain loach, and why.
- Common goldfish: incompatible temperatures
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oranda goldfish: incompatible temperatures
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Dwarf chain loach healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Dwarf chain loach need?
At least about 80 liters for a group of at least 6 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Dwarf chain loach need?
Between 25 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Dwarf chain loach?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Cherry barb, Betta fish, Guppy, Harlequin rasbora and Ember tetra. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Dwarf chain loach be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
