I own and have seen many large clown loaches, but have not seen large red tail botia. How large can they reach and will they maintain the brilliant color? I am wondering why RTB are not as popular as CL. Show me pics of your large RTB.
Any one keeps large red tail botia
- Thread starter viejafish
- Start date
I be,i.e. E they only get to like 7-8 inches, and are aggressive, which can be a reason why they're not kept as much. They aren't as readily available where I'm from, my lfs gets them once in a while. Just. It as much of a demand I guess, I always wanted some.
I have around 12 loach in my main tank. Clown and RTB, the Botia I have had since around 2" and 3 years and they are still only 4-5". Compared to clowns they are much more aggressive and spend most of there day chasing on another around. Class little loach and highly underrated.
My largest blue botia is about 7 inches. I just acquired it a couple of weeks ago. This one brought me up to 6 blue botia. My other ones range from 3-5 inches. I've had them since they were very small. They grow faster than clown loaches. Their colors do not fade as they age and grow.
They aren't as popular as CL's due to them often being more territorial and aggressive, compared to other botia. Where I live they are quite common, sold cheap at Petsmart. In the wild they are reported to reach 8-10". I've never seen any that size so would also love to see some pics of monster Y. modesta.
I've got a decent sized RTB in my big comm tank at 5-6". He's great for cleanup at feeding time, takes a beating like a champ, and seems impervious to the laundry list of diseases that kills off most clown loaches. I wouldn't mind adding a few more tbh.
...as far as the color comment, my guy is bright blue and red like a juvie, but I suspect my lighting has something to do with that.
Some RTB sold in LFSs were dyed, which destroyed their health and natural beauty as their natural color is quite pleasing. I've seen 12" clown loach but never RTB larger than 4". I wonder if they can get as big and long living as CL.
I have a couple of RTB loaches Ive had for years that are 7-8" each big and fat .. I only notice inter species aggression around dinner time .. the only other botias in tank are a small couple of skunks. Tank mates are silver dollars, filament barbs, EB acara and Fahaka Puffer . All are located in STD 220 .. I love my Blues ... under appreciated Botia for sure