New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Zebra loach

Botia striata Narayan Rao, 1920
Max Length
7.8 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Overview information for Zebra loach is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Botia striata
Authority
Narayan Rao, 1920
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
7.8 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Water Temp
23–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Zebra loach is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Zebra loach is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Zebra loach is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Zebra loach is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 23°C - 26°C

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.2±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00589 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
7.8cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
23–26°C
pH Range
6–8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Narayan Rao, 1920

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Botia Striata is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Zebra loach is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Zebra loach has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Zebra loach ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.