Dwarf chain loach size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 5.5 cm. The smallest of the 4 Botiidae species on LumaReef (Clown loach is the largest, 30.5 cm).

Dwarf chain loach tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Dwarf chain loach water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Botiidae on LumaReef need (21–27 °C).

Dwarf chain loach tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Diamond tetra, and Emperor tetra.

Dwarf chain loach: is it endangered?

The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 4 assessed Botiidae species on LumaReef: 2.

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Dwarf chain loach

Ambastaia sidthimunki

The most daytime loach, drifting above the bottom in tight little groups.

The Dwarf chain loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Botiidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 5.5 cm. The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 80 cm long and water at 23–28 °C.

Size: 5.5 cm
Smallest tank: 80 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–28 °C

pH6.0–7.5

Hardness3–12 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 6 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres45 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres75 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres162 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres300 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres360 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along67 species

and 43 more species

Caution23 species

Crowding the same layer

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: On the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCypriniformes
FamilyBotiidae
GenusAmbastaia
SpeciesAmbastaia sidthimunki
Described byKlausewitz, 1959

In other languages

English: Dwarf Loach
German: Schachbrettschmerle
Chinese: 小沙鰍

Quick answers

Dwarf chain loach size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 5.5 cm. The smallest of the 4 Botiidae species on LumaReef (Clown loach is the largest, 30.5 cm).
Dwarf chain loach tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Dwarf chain loach water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Botiidae on LumaReef need (21–27 °C).
Dwarf chain loach tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Diamond tetra, and Emperor tetra.
Dwarf chain loach: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Dwarf chain loach and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Dwarf chain loach: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 4 assessed Botiidae species on LumaReef: 2.