Family: Nemacheilidae
Nichol's Brook Loach — a Nemacheilidae from Yunnan, China, peaceful, sociable and slightly nocturnal. Reaches 9–13.2 cm; sociable; keep 4–6 so night-time activity stays confident. 18–26 °C.
Schistura nicholsi, a member of the family Nemacheilidae, comes from Yunnan, China, where it inhabits hill-streams and riffles over pebbles. Peaceful, sociable and slightly nocturnal and omnivore that appreciates live or frozen treats, it grows to 9–13.2 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 18–26 °C range. Other Schistura species in our database include Schistura fasciolata, Schistura incerta, Schistura latifasciata.
Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful, sociable and slightly nocturnal. Sociable; keep 4–6 so night-time activity stays confident.
Set the heater to 18–26 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.
Expect 9–13.2 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 209 L tank or larger gives it room.
Omnivore that appreciates live or frozen treats. It forages naturally over smooth pebbles and coarse sand, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful, sociable and slightly nocturnal; sociable; keep 4–6 so night-time activity stays confident. Good company: Other peaceful bottom fish — Share the lower water without conflict. Keep away from Boisterous feeders — Outcompete slow, nocturnal eaters.
Comes from Yunnan, China: hill-streams and riffles over pebbles. Expect strong, well-oxygenated current and requires well-oxygenated water.
Scatters eggs among fine plants; no aftercare. Females rounder-bodied.