The loaches of the genus Schistura are spread all over South and Southeast Asia. They have much in common with the catfishes of the genus Corydoras from South America: they are present everywhere and there does exist a large number of species. Schistura spilota from Thailand is one of the largest species at all and reaches up to 12 cm in length. The coloration is very similar to many other species of Schistura: the black-red blotch on the origin of the dorsal fin and the stripes that differ individually a lot. But the size of S. spilota makes it unique.
The males of S. spilota become very dark during breeding season and develop thick cheeks. One should keep these fishes in tanks with a sandy bottom and large plates of stone, under which the loaches burry a cave. Schistura spilota fits good in a community tank with larger and rather sturdy other fish like many types of barb.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Thailand |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 6-10 |
