Data sheet panda loach
German name:
panda loach
Scientific name:
Yaoshania pachychilus
Origin:
South China / China
Size:
Up to 6 cm
Aquarium
Volume:
From 100 liters – length from 60 cm / width from 40 cm
Contents:
water values
Temperature:
16°C to 24°C
GH:
20
pH:
6.5 – 7.5
CH:
0-3
Behave
Area:
substrate
Lining:
Behave:
sometimes greedy, otherwise peaceful
Number:
small groups of at least 5 animals
socialization:
with shrimp, peaceful fish species and catfish
Difficulty level:
Medium
Introduction
©Pascal Neumann
Panda loaches have a particularly beautiful pattern. This makes them a nice eye-catcher in the aquarium. you should in Groups of about five animals be kept together. Since they like to dig, the substrate consists of at best sand or very fine gravel. Flat and smooth stones should also be distributed in the tank. The panda loaches like to rest there. They look for food and shelter in ferns and mosses. Nevertheless, the aquarium for panda loaches should not be planted too densely.
Panda loaches come out flowing waters with strong temperature fluctuations. Therefore the aquarium should go through weekly water changes change the temperature from time to time with approx. 30% of the water. The animals are used to temperatures of 16 to 24 °C. They also prefer a strong current. Since loaches prefer to stay in the shady part of the aquarium, the light should be somewhat dimmed or blocked by plants, stones and roots shady places to be developed.
gender differences
Experienced aquarists can tell the sexes by looking at the genital papilla. For beginners, however, this is hardly distinguishable. However, adult females are also larger and stronger than males. Females with spawning approach are very round and clearly distinguishable.
breed
The breeding of panda loaches is not easy and doesn’t always work. Nevertheless, you can do something to increase the breeding chances in the aquarium. A vigorous water change of about 30% of the water should be carried out once a week. It is also important for breeding success that the temperature in the tank fluctuates again and again and is rather cool. This can be achieved, for example, with a Water change with cold water.
The female panda loaches lay their eggs in or on the bottom of the aquarium. The larvae then hatch in the substrate and remain there until they are stronger. During this time, the young fish feed on microorganisms and plant remains on the bottom.
socialization
Despite their size, panda loaches are very good with dwarf shrimp to socialize. They do not hunt or eat them. Also with other small and peaceful fish species you can keep the panda loach together well. For example, tetra species such as the red neon are quite suitable for this.