The Yasuhikotakia modesta is a very common freshwater loach. It has a long compact, heavy-built body and has been found to be up to 10 inches long. Most loaches in captivity (aquariums) rarely become longer than 6-7 inches. The coloration of the body comes in many varieties of a greenish-blue-gray color with yellow, red, or orange fins.

 

In the wild the Y. modesta comes from large rivers in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. This loach is also very popular in the aquatic pet trade and can be purchased almost anywhere. This fish has many common names used all around the world. Some examples are the Red Finned Loach, Blue Botia, Red Botia, and many more.

 

Yasuhikotakia modesta is very similar to the Yellow Finned population and is commonly mistaken for Yasuhikotakis lecontei. Yasuhikotakia Modsta should always be kept in a group of its own kind. The groups usually have an "Alpha" loach that will lead the group. Loaches are very territorial and a lot of in-fighting takes place. Because the fish is very territorial, it tends to hide in caves in the wild. The less dominate fish mostly hide from the more powerful individuals of the group.

 

Most of the loaches eat blood worms, algae, earthworms, and many kinds of shrimp. They eat at night and are very greedy when eating. In addition, during feeding times loaches are quite vocal using clicking noises. Also, the Yasuhikotakia modesta is a bottom feeder. A bottom feeder swims and feeds at the bottom of its environment.

 

There are many interesting facts about the Yasuhikotakia Modsta. One thing that many people don't know is the most brightly colored or oddly colored loaches are artificially colored. The fish are fed certain foods and get injections to make them a bright pink, purple, and blue. The Yasuhikotakia modesta has a very unique natural color and i think there is no need to enhance it's color. It's already beautiful.

 

Author: Jared H.

Published: 02/2009

 

Sources: Blue Botia (Yasuhikotakia modesta) — Loaches Online." Loaches Online - Community Edition — Loaches Online. 02 Feb. 2009 http://www.loaches.com/species-index/yasuhikotakia-modesta "FishProfiles.com - Yasuhikotakia modesta." FishProfiles.com - Complete Online Aquarium Resource. 02 Feb. 2009 http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/641.htm "Yasuhikotakia modesta -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 02 Feb. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuhikotakia_modesta