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

💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Tiger loach

Syncrossus hymenophysa Bleeker, 1852
Max Length
21 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabits lakes, rivers and streams, usually close to submerged trees or logs or under floating logs and houses . Found as well in upland streams over stony substrate . Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects . Breeds in small streams in swamp forest .

Scientific Name
Syncrossus hymenophysa
Authority
Bleeker, 1852
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
21 cm
Trophic Level
3.3
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Tiger loach is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Tiger loach is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.4
Food Items

worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00589 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
21cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bleeker, 1852

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Tiger loach 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 Tiger loach is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Tiger 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
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English banded loach · Green Tiger Loach · tiger loach · zebra loach
🌍CES sekavka příčnopruhá
🌍IND Botia Macan
🇯🇵Japanese ボテドジョウ
🌍MSA Ikan Lali Babi
🇵🇹Portuguese Botia-verde
🇷🇺Russian Боция

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Tiger 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.