Species profile
Burmese Border Loach
Botia kubotai
Semi aggressive
Moderate care
250 L minimum aquarium
10–13 cm adult size
Bottom
Minimum group: 5
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Needs a social group, caves and floor space. Snails are prey and should not be listed as compatible clean-up animals.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
6–7.5
GH
2–12 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Moderate–high
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Minimum group: 5
Tank zone
Bottom
Territory level
Moderate
Predation risk
Snails
Bioload factor
1.8
Social botiid loach with a strong hierarchy. Keep at least five in a spacious structured aquarium; singletons or pairs often become stressed or excessively dominant.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
No / caution
Cave breeder
Yes
Digs substrate
Yes
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet type
Omnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
250 L
Minimum footprint
120 × 50 cm
Accepted scientific name
Botia kubotai
Alternative names
Burmese Border Loach, Polka Dot Loach, Botia kubotai
Native range
Ataran River basin on the Myanmar–Thailand border region.
Natural habitat
Flowing river/stream habitats with rock, gravel, sand, submerged wood and seasonal current.
Diet & feeding
Benthic invertebrates, snails and plant material; feed varied sinking foods, worms/crustaceans and vegetable foods.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Mature females become fuller-bodied; males tend to remain slimmer, but external sexing is not strongly reliable outside maturity.
Breeding
Routine home-aquarium breeding is rare; commercial production commonly relies on specialised controlled methods.