Botia dario
Encyclopedia
The Bengal Loach, or Queen Loach (Botia dario) is a species of loach
fish found in the hill streams of Bangladesh
.
These fish are threatened by pesticide
used in the cultivation of rice
. Since 1997, the Bangladesh government has enforced strict penalties against polluters, with specific rules about the pollution of streams and waterways, so at least some preservation work is afoot.
B. dario can be found in the creeks and streams of the northern and eastern regions of the country (bordering India
and Myanmar
, respectively), and is also known in India
. The fish most likely populates the streams that supply the Bengal section of the Ganges river. B. dario is also reported in Bhutan
, but only in the Gaylegphug river, which eventually drains into the far north of Bangladesh.
In the aquarium:
Botia Dario are good fish to have in tropical aquariums, quickly taking care of pest snail populations and less shy than Botia striata
. They get as long as 6" and should be kept in groups of 4 or more. They are omnivores, and thus should be fed sinking pellets as well as algae wafers. They also enjoy fresh vegetables, such as cucumber
, zucchini
, and frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp
. Also, make sure to provide plenty of caves for hiding in.
Loach
Loach may refer to:* Loaches, fish families in the Cypriniformes:** Cobitidae, the "true" loaches – formerly all loaches were united in this family** Balitoridae, the hillstream loaches – the largest family, closely related to Cobitidae...
fish found in the hill streams of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
These fish are threatened by pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
used in the cultivation of rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
. Since 1997, the Bangladesh government has enforced strict penalties against polluters, with specific rules about the pollution of streams and waterways, so at least some preservation work is afoot.
B. dario can be found in the creeks and streams of the northern and eastern regions of the country (bordering India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, respectively), and is also known in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The fish most likely populates the streams that supply the Bengal section of the Ganges river. B. dario is also reported in Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
, but only in the Gaylegphug river, which eventually drains into the far north of Bangladesh.
In the aquarium:
Botia Dario are good fish to have in tropical aquariums, quickly taking care of pest snail populations and less shy than Botia striata
Botia striata
The zebra loach, Botia striata, is a small freshwater fish native to Southern India. The maximum size is about 3 in . It lives in tropical climate with temperature range of 23-26°C , and prefers water with 6.0 to 8.0 pH, 5.0 to 12 dGH....
. They get as long as 6" and should be kept in groups of 4 or more. They are omnivores, and thus should be fed sinking pellets as well as algae wafers. They also enjoy fresh vegetables, such as cucumber
Cucumber
The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon. The plant is a creeping vine which bears cylindrical edible fruit when ripe. There are three main varieties of cucumber: "slicing", "pickling", and...
, zucchini
Zucchini
The zucchini is a summer squash which often grows to nearly a meter in length, but which is usually harvested at half that size or less. It is a hybrid of the cucumber. Along with certain other squashes, it belongs to the species Cucurbita pepo. Zucchini can be dark or light green...
, and frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp
Brine shrimp
Artemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans known as brine shrimp. Artemia, the only genus in the family Artemiidae, has changed little externally since the Triassic period...
. Also, make sure to provide plenty of caves for hiding in.