Family: Cobitidae
Huang He Spined Loach — a Cobitidae from NE China, Korea & the Russian Far East, peaceful bottom-dweller; burrows in fine sand. Reaches 15–22 cm; loose groups of 5+; loneliness makes them shy. 18–26 °C.
Cobitis melanoleuca, a member of the family Cobitidae, comes from NE China, Korea & the Russian Far East, where it inhabits sandy stretches of slow rivers. Peaceful bottom-dweller; burrows in fine sand and omnivorous bottom-feeder — sinking pellets, frozen foods, it grows to 15–22 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 18–26 °C range. Other Cobitis species in our database include Cobitis lutheri, Cobitis shikokuensis, Cobitis sinensis.
Intermediate difficulty. Peaceful bottom-dweller; burrows in fine sand; loose groups of 5+; loneliness makes them shy.
Hold 18–26 °C and keep it stable — 18–26 °C typical for the genus. Room temperature stable range.
Full size is 15–22 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.
Omnivorous bottom-feeder — sinking pellets, frozen foods. It forages naturally over fine sand for burrowing, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful bottom-dweller; burrows in fine sand; loose groups of 5+; loneliness makes them shy. Good company: Other peaceful bottom fish — Share the lower water without conflict. Keep away from Boisterous feeders — Outcompete slow, nocturnal eaters.
Comes from NE China, Korea & the Russian Far East: sandy stretches of slow rivers. Expect gentle current and tolerates moderate oxygen levels.
In the aquarium: spawns over sand and plants; eggs are abandoned. Females noticeably plumper when mature.