11 most popular types of Botia – from the bright Striata to the interesting Pulchra

Most likely, if you enjoy aquarium fish, you’ve heard of Botia. These vibrant fish, which live on the bottom, are well-known for their distinctive patterns and captivating habits. They add a great deal of individuality to your tank in addition to being stunning. Some of the varieties are particularly noticeable due to their color, markings, and peculiarities. This post explores the world of botia, highlighting eleven of the most well-known species, from the intriguing Pulchra to the brightly striped Striata.

There are many different species in the Botia family, and each has a unique charm. The Striata is especially well-liked for its striking aesthetic appeal because of its stripes. These fish are difficult to miss because of their eye-catching patterns, which add visual interest to any aquarium. However, the Pulchra has a distinct charm that draws in a lot of aquarists due to its subtler yet fascinating features.

However, why are these fish so attractive? It goes beyond just how they look. The intriguing behaviors and social dynamics of many Botia species add to their appeal as houseplants. Each of them adds something unique to the aquatic world, whether it’s through their playful interactions or their different ways of exploring the tank.

Come along as we examine these eleven common varieties of Botia, learning what makes each unique and why they could be the ideal complement to your aquarium. There is a Botia species for everyone, whether your goal is to add a new layer of interest with fascinating behavior or brighten up your tank with vivid colors.

Botia Type	Features
Striata	Bright stripes, active swimmer, great for community tanks.
Pulchra	Colorful, distinctive patterns, prefers hiding spots.
Lohachata	Unique shape, bold colors, good for larger tanks.
Macracanthus	Spiky appearance, interesting behavior, needs space to roam.
Clown Botia	Vibrant colors, playful, social with other fish.
Dario	Small size, delicate patterns, best in peaceful setups.
Yasuhikotakia	Strong, active, needs plenty of swimming space.
Hoogstraali	Distinctive markings, prefers groups, interactive.
Guttata	Spotty appearance, enjoys hiding, requires a varied diet.
Botia kubotai	Small, colorful, shy but curious, ideal for planted tanks.
Botia striata	Striped, lively, good for engaging tank mates.

Varieties with descriptions, names and photos

Even though researchers have found a wide variety of Botia, their work is far from finished. New varieties of these fish are discovered almost annually.

Since nearly all species lack the capacity to procreate on their own, young individuals are imported from Asian nurseries.

Striata (Zebra, Striped)

Fish called Botia Striata inhabit rivers in India. Because of its unusually vivid coloring, it got its name. This Botia genuinely has the appearance of a zebra due to the numerous dark stripes that cover its silvery body. Striata’s fins are translucent, its belly is golden, and its nose bears a distinctive reddish stain.

Striata can grow up to 12–13 cm in the wild, but it is uncommon to find this species in aquariums that are larger than 7-8 cm. It needs a large swimming area and soft, warm water (about 25 °C), just like other Botia. A school of fish must always consist of six to eight individuals; otherwise, Striata will turn hostile.

Chessboard (Kubotay, Kubota)

A relatively recent species that was only found in 2004. Southeast Asian rivers are home to Chessboard Botia in the wild.

Kubota’s coloring truly resembles a chessboard because of the numerous spots of light and chocolate tones all over its body.

In addition to having multicolored spots, the fins occasionally have thin stripes of blue and black.

With proper home care, Kubota can reach a height of 7–10 cm. These fish, in contrast to other Botia, are active both during the day and at night. If housed in a school of six, chess fish will treat their neighbors with great calmness and peace.

Morleti

An increasingly common species in Thai lakes and rivers. Because of their distinctive look, morleti are frequently referred to as Ribbon Botias. The skin is a basic light brownish color, but there is a distinct black line that runs the length of the back, across the head, and ends at the tail fin. Because it blends in well with the sandy bottom, this color does not alter over the course of a lifetime.

The following prerequisites must be met for Morleti to live comfortably:

• an aquarium with a large bottom area and moderate current;
• warm enough, slightly acidic water (temperature from 24 to 30 ° C, acidity – 5-6 pH);

If there aren’t ten or more people in a school, the fish will get uneasy and may even turn hostile.

Only large fish and those that can swim quickly enough can be friends with Botia Morleti, such as the Tiger Botia.

Tiger

The Indonesian islands, which are home to numerous streams and tiny rivers, are home to this species. The Tiger Botia’s body is primarily golden-pink, but it has about a dozen broad, dark stripes that give it a tiger-like appearance. The dorsal fin has multiple black markings, and the fins are reddish in color.

One of the biggest species is the Tiger Botia, which can reach a maximum size of 25 cm. This is why it is seldom chosen for home aquariums, where a school of five needs at least 600 liters of water. There will inevitably be conflicts in a school with two to three fish. Furthermore, big Botia frequently oppress small fish.

It is best for an aquarist who wishes to keep this species to place one "tiger" in a different container. However, it’s crucial to realize that the fish will not feel comfortable being kept alone.

Royal (Birdmore)

Southeast Asian rivers are home to Birdmore.

It’s no accident that the Beardmore Botia was given the name Royal, given how exquisitely colored it appears.

The primary hue of the scales is a golden-crimson, with striking black dots strewn throughout the body and on the red fins.

When given proper care, Beardmora can grow up to 15 cm in length. Beardmoras need to have their aquarium covered with a lid because of their noisy and energetic nature. The ideal temperature range for Royal Botia is between 21 and 25 °C. They feel most at ease in a school of at least five people.

Almora

Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India all have waters that are home to Botia Almorhae. Many times, aquarists confuse this species with Botia Lohachata; both breeds are referred to as "Marbled Botia." Despite their striking resemblance in coloring, scientists continue to categorize Marbled Botia (Lohachata, Reticulated Botia) as a separate species.

These fish have a silvery body with sporadically placed dark spots and stripes that resemble marble patterns.

Despite their lively, inquisitive, and peaceful nature, fish are also quite shy. They need to live in a group of five to seven people in order to be comfortable.

Considering how recently Almora was discovered, not much is known about it.

It grows to a length of 13 to 15 cm in an aquarium and needs certain conditions.

• absence of any impurities in the water;
• temperature from 19 to 28 ° C;
• high oxygen saturation (especially in small tanks).

Almora ought to be housed in a school, just like other Botia. It has an inclination toward a bottom lifestyle, but it is quite active during the day.

Dwarf Vietnamese – Cruciatus

The tiny fish known as Vietnamese Botia (Yunnanilus Cruciatus, Dwarf Zebra) lives in the tranquil waters of southern Vietnam. Its golden body is striped with numerous light brown spots.

One of the smallest species of Botia, Cruciatus reaches a maximum height of 3.5 cm. Because of this, keeping it in medium tanks with other accustomed aquarium fish is convenient.

Dwarf Botia prefers to hide in places with dense foliage, entwined branches, and driftwood; they shun bright light.

Features of Dwarf Botia include the following:

• requires neutral water (22-27 ° C) with a barely noticeable current;
• is active during the day and willingly explores all layers of the aquarium;
• likes to study the bottom, so sand should be used as soil;
• feels comfortable in a school of 8-10 individuals.

Cruciatus can procreate indoors, in contrast to their larger relatives. You will need a different container for spawning, which is where adult individuals will spawn.

Histrionica

China and other countries in Southeast Asia are home to histrionica. Its silvery body is adorned with dark stripes that occasionally cross over and merge. The pattern that emerges is similar to the Latin letter Y. The color ages and the stripes eventually become less distinct.

It can grow up to 11–13 cm with proper care. It favors average-quality water, which has a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature range of 22 to 28 degrees Celsius. Histrionics leads a bottom lifestyle, but it is active during the day and hides in shelters at night.

Large boulders, snags in the form of tree branches and roots, and sandy or stony soil make good shelter.

Shade-loving plant varieties, such as fern or moss, should be planted in the aquarium because the lighting should be muted.

Clown (Macracantha)

Originating from the island of Sumatra, Chromobotia Macracantha, also known as Botia Clown, Macracantha, is arguably the most well-known variety of Botia. Clowns’ vivid coloring—three to four broad, dark stripes—is how they got their name.

The peculiar sleeping patterns of these fish, which include clicking frequently and resting directly on the ground, are also noted by aquarium enthusiasts.

Clowns grow up to 15-20 cm when given the right care. They require water that meets the following requirements:

• temperature from 24 to 30 ° C;
• acidity from 6 to 6.5 pH.

Since Clown Botia are schooling fish, a school should consist of at least 5–6 individuals because as they get older, their behavior starts to "deteriorate" and they start attacking other fish.

Hormone medications are needed for home breeding.

Panda

Little is known about the panda botia, a small subtropical fish, in Russia. Adults grow to a length of 5–6 cm, and their bodies develop an odd network of black spots and stripes, with three transverse rows standing out.

Suggested maintenance conditions:

• clean, oxygenated water;
• temperature from 20 to 24 ° C;
• acidity – 6.5-7.5 pH;
• hardness – 2-15°dh.

The majority of Botia are omnivorous fish.

Because pandas eat algae and microorganisms, they need a specific diet; eating a lot of protein on a regular basis can be harmful to their health.

They must thus be fed unique food mixtures that contain a high percentage of plant-based ingredients.

Pulchra

The name Pulchra, which means "Golden Zebra," comes from the dark stripes that run across its golden-yellow body. This variety only reaches a height of 6–8 cm at home.

Pulchra likes cool, slightly acidic water (19–24 °C; pH 6-7). A school of fish should consist of at least eight individuals; otherwise, the fish will become hostile. They always swim out of their shelters during feeding, and they will happily consume any food.

When it comes to aquarium fish, knowing the various varieties of Botia can greatly improve the aesthetics of your tank. These 11 well-known Botia species, which range from the remarkably colorful Striata to the intriguing Pulchra, each add a special charm and individuality to your aquarium. This guide will give you an overview of these colorful and fascinating fish, emphasizing their unique characteristics and maintenance requirements to assist you in selecting the ideal Botia for your arrangement.

Compatibility of the considered varieties with each other

Numerous Botia varieties coexist peacefully with one another. They can theoretically even breed among themselves, though it is very challenging to do so in an aquarium.

It is important for aquarists to know that nearly all Botia have comparable maintenance needs. Their size is the only notable distinction, which influences the aquarium’s capacity as well as the choice of neighbors.

Despite their familial ties, large Tiger Botias are more than capable of driving small Cruciatus. As a result, species that are proportionate should be chosen for housing in the same aquarium.

Botia species make great additions to aquariums when it comes to colorful and unique fish. Every type of Botia adds a unique flair to your aquatic setup, from the captivating Pulchra to the eye-catching Striata with its striking patterns. They are fascinating to watch and take care of because of their variety of colors and behaviors.

Having knowledge of the various Botia species enables you to design an aquarium that is more dynamic and well-balanced. There’s a Botia that will look great in your tank, whether you like the Dario’s more understated elegance or the Clown Botia’s bright colors. Their lively antics and unique personalities add a sense of life and activity to your aquarium in addition to improving its aesthetic appeal.

A more interesting and interactive experience for you and your fish can be created by adding botias to your tank. Whether it is their social behavior, their inclination for hiding places, or their interactions with other fish, every species has something unique to offer. This range guarantees that the display in your aquarium will always be lively and changing.

Botias are a delightful addition to any freshwater tank, all things considered. There are many customization options available due to their variety of appearances and behaviors. These fascinating fish will flourish and bring excitement to your aquatic world given the correct conditions.

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