Dwarf loach

Zwergschmerle ( Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki )

The Zwergschmerle ( Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki ), also called Schachbrettschmerle, lives in the area of the Chao Phraya in Thailand and the Mekong River in Indochina. It occurs both in large rivers, as well as in small ponds and flooded rice fields. The diurnal fish feed on small invertebrates.

It is sometimes kept in aquariums. Zwergschmerlen are about 5-7 cm long and can reach an age of up to 15 years to achieve. They are omnivorous and will, since they are schooling fish, kept in groups of at least 8 animals in an aquarium of at least 80 cm edge length. The fish love Mulmschichten they browse for food.

Breeding

Since so far only succeed Random breeds, almost all originate commercially available Zwergschmerlen from the wild. According to the Red List are threatened with extinction. In Thailand, the Zwergschmerle is protected.