Slimy Loach

COMMON NAMES: Myer's or Slimy Loach.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acanthophthalmus myersi.

DESIGNATION: Tropical.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Thailand.SIZE: Up to 8 cm (3 in).

WATER PREFERENCES: Not critical.Temperature: 24-30°C (75-86°F).

BODY STRUCTURE: The size ratio of head length of a loach the length of its body is one to four. The nose is rounded pointing downwards. The top of the loach is flat. They possess two nostrils. Lips are larger in shape to the mouth which is small. Its body is elongated and smooth. It is covered with a mucous secretion. The body is rounded in form before the dorsal fin and compressed behind it. The body, head and sides are spotted with brown circles. The belly surface is white or yellowish white in color.

FOOD HABITS: Slimy loaches mostly possess red or black eyes. They are omnivorous. The Myer's loach generally eats all kinds of small lives. Frozen foods are also eaten by the loaches. Meat based foods are relished the most by the slimy loach. They also like sinking pelleted and tablet foods, flakes and vegetable foods such as algae. To keep them healthy and for a good balanced diet, shrimps, tubifex worms, mosquito larva are given as a treat.

DIET: Most foods, particularly bottom-dwelling livefoods.

LIVING: In an aquarium, these fishes need lots of plants around them. They like to dwell near rocks and caves. A slimy loach prefers soft water. The substrate present should be fine sand or gravel which does not have sharp edges. They enjoy and flourish in this type of water. Bit of organic mass spread over the substrate make them feel comfortable. The Myer’s slimy loaches are found in Asia. They are mostly seen in Mekong basin and in southeast Thailand. They live in sandy areas of rivers and mountain streams. The size of a loach is 3 inches (8cm). They hide themselves during day time. It is active and lively in the evening. They are very to catch because of their slimy nature. Their life span is 10 years if they are kept in proper conditions. Eel is the only enemy of a loach.

BREEDING: Very rare in aquaria and not well documented. Eggs may be scattered among the roots of surface vegetation. Female loach becomes plumper during the breeding season. They are mostly bred in the native areas as they are always available in their area. Breeding of loach in the home aquarium can be difficult, as the eggs are stuck to the roots and buried beneath the surface of the substrate.

DESCRIPTION: The worm like Myer's loach or Myer's slimy loach is a great helper in keeping the aquarium clean. It eats the leftover foods of the other fishes. So, most of the aquarium consist of a slimy loach. These fishes are comfortable if they have a companion with them. They have a long life. If they are kept alone in an aquarium they will try to hide themselves. The Myer’s slimy loach has 15 to 20 dark brown bands. These bands encircle the body completely.
The number of species and/or subspecies belonging to this 'variable' genus is not known with absolute certainty. However, the following are generally considered valid (in addition to A.myersi): A. kuhli, A. javanicus, A. semicinctusand A. shelfordi.
Slimy loach is a very cool fish. It does not demand for any extra care or attention. Their unusual shape, striking colors and their hyperactive nature makes them different and rare from the other fishes.