Care
The Chinese rainbow loach is reported from streams and rivers which are often vegetated and not always fast-flowing. Mention is made of the Whitecloud Mountains and Pearl river. Here, they are found over sand and gravel substrates.
A requisite for their care is highly oxygenated water with plenty of current, and tight fitting coverslides are a must. Like many loaches, they can be a little spicy with conspecifics, and should be kept in spacious aquaria with plenty of visual barriers amongst the decor. Provide a sandy substrate along with plenty of nooks and crannies formed from pebbles, rocks, pieces of slate, and tangles of driftwood - ensuring that lines of sight are broken up. Plants are not essential; however, robust species such as Anubias and Java fern tied onto driftwood will help with water quality and will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing, as well as creating more hiding places. Keeping these fish in groups means that any territorial aggression is spread amongst the shoal, so that no one fish bears the continual brunt of any sporadic antagonistic behaviour. Quiet, placid tankmates are best avoided, as are species with long fins. Good companions could include some of the Hillstream loaches, smaller Barbs, Danios and minnows and shoals of these will act as 'dither fish', encouraging the loaches out into the open. Like other species that inhabit fresh running waters, these loaches will not tolerate a build-up of nitrates within the aquarium and require excellent water conditions at all times if they are to thrive - so powerful filtration and regular partial water changes are essential.
May also be seen on sale as the Rainbow loach, or Rainbow mountain loach.
Feeding
Small frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, and daphnia. Will also take sinking catfish pellets/tablets/granules.
Breeding
Unknown. Given the right environment and seasonal cycling, accidental spawnings are likely to yield findings which can be used for more targetted efforts.
