20 year old Lohachata Botia

[Mister Limpet]

I took a couple pics tonight when I fed my guys. L. Botia was bought in 1994 and kept in a 20L in my office at work for 10 years along with some Tetra's. When I left the company (s)he moved to a 30g in my home. Looks and behaves as good as ever. I wonder how long he can live.

In front of the cave is my clown pleco, about 7 years old. Clown pleco's are nice because they stay small. He likes to hide so I don't see him that often though. Thanks for looking.

[Allesgut]

Very inspiring :)
Please share some more information like year-round temperature, food, husbandry, etc.
Thanks

[Mister Limpet]

Very inspiring :)
Please share some more information like year-round temperature, food, husbandry, etc.
Thanks

Thank you, Allesgut.

He is fed a quality flake food, and/or shrimp pellets, 5-7 days a week. Then frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp once every week or two. No exactness to this. Might skip a day a week, might not. Even time of day occasionally is varied.

The trick is to not overfeed.

Temp has always been 76-78, or so.

When he was in the first tank (20L at my workplace) I had to do PWC about every two weeks, because there were quite a few other fish in there with him. Filtration was UGF, and an AquaClear HOB. I don't remember the size, but it wasn't big.

In his present tank, (30g) stocking is lower so I can get away with a month or two between PWC. Filtration is a Penguin 170 with BIO wheel.

EDIT: In the workplace tank, I always used Hinkley and Smith drinking water (from the 5 gal bottles) to replace or top off water.

At home I use treated tap water for water changes, and store bought distilled for topping off from evaporation.

[steeler1]

Wow; I knew Clown loach's lived a long time but did not know these guys were so long lived. Good job on your part for giving him the proper care to live this long.