Laos Blackline Torpedo Loach - Nemacheilus longistriatus : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Introduction

Laos Blackline Torpedo Loaches (Nemacheilus longistriatus) are a captivating freshwater species endemic to Southeast Asia. Characterized by its elongated body adorned with a distinctive longitudinal stripe, this species combines aesthetic appeal and dynamic behaviour, making it a noteworthy consideration for aquarists keen on replicating biotope environments reflective of Southeast Asian freshwater systems.

The Laos Blackline Torpedo Loaches are characterized by their peaceful and social demeanour, necessitating a group setting of a minimum of five members, with larger groups being more preferable. Suitable companions in the aquarium would include species like Danios, Rasbora, and Barbs that primarily inhabit the upper water layers. However, it's recommended to avoid housing them with similarly-shaped species to prevent territorial conflicts.

The care for Laos Blackline Torpedo Loaches is relatively straightforward, contingent upon addressing their specific habitat needs. They exhibit a preference for highly oxygenated and flowing waters, complemented by substrates of smooth stones and sand. An emphasis should be placed on incorporating stones with fairly horizontal surfaces. Adequate lighting plays a pivotal role, facilitating the growth of aufwuchs on the stones, which serves as a significant food source for these loaches.

Optimally an aquarium designed to emulate hill-stream conditions would be ideal. While the inclusion of aquatic plants is permissible, they are infrequent in their natural habitats due to strong currents. Enhancing the aquarium environment with driftwood branches can create an intricate web of hideouts, overhangs, and shaded regions, promoting a more natural setting with varied visual breaks.

While it's unnecessary to replicate rapid torrent conditions, these loaches thrive best in water environments with high levels of dissolved oxygen and moderate water movement, necessitating robust filtration systems. Given their sensitivity to organic pollutants and their innate preference for pristine water conditions, it's imperative to implement weekly water changes, typically ranging from 30 to 50%, as a standard practice.

The Laos Blackline Torpedo Loaches exhibit a silvery hue on their bodies, adorned with 9 to 13 distinct, irregularly shaped dorsal markings resembling saddles. Along their flanks, one can observe a sequence of 9 to 11 dark, roundish blotches, typically interconnected by a prominent dark stripe that culminates in another blotch at the base of the caudal fin. Furthermore, their dorsal, caudal, pectoral, and anal fins are characteristically hyaline in nature.