Blue Botia

Yasuhikotakia modesta

Blue Botia is a bottom-dwelling fish. Keep in a loose group of 6+.

Semi-AggressiveBottom dwellerKeep in a loose group of 6+Intermediate

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Need help with Blue Botia?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 9.8" (≤ 25 cm)
Aquarium size: 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 59.1" (≥ 150 cm) minimum length
Care level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Swimming zone: Bottom dweller
Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6–8
GH: 2–12 dGH
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: up to 8 years
Group behavior: Keep in a loose group of 6+

Care requirements

Care level: Intermediate.

Lifespan: up to 8 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 59.1" (≥ 150 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 23–28 °C, pH 6–8, GH 2–12 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Blue Botia needs careful companion choice because it can be territorial or semi-aggressive.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the bottom area, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Offer a varied mix of sinking invertebrate foods and some vegetable matter, spreading food to limit dominance at feeding stations.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 59.1" (≥ 150 cm) minimum length.
Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
Keep in a loose group of 6+.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Bengal Loach Botia dario Same family Similar care level Bottom dweller Intermediate ≤ 5.1" (≤ 13 cm) 73–79°F (23–26°C) Blue Dolphin Cichlid Cyrtocara moorii Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate ≤ 9.8" (≤ 25 cm) 77–84°F (25–29°C) Amazon Leaffish Monocirrhus polyacanthus Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 73–84°F (23–29°C) Barca Snakehead Channa barca Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 41.3" (≤ 105 cm) 50–82°F (10–28°C) Black Toraja Goby Mugilogobius hitam Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 1.7" (≤ 4.3 cm) 79–86°F (26–30°C) Argentine Humphead Gymnogeophagus balzanii Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate ≤ 7.9" (≤ 20 cm) 70–77°F (21–25°C)

FAQ

How large does Blue Botia get?

Blue Botia reaches ≤ 9.8" (≤ 25 cm). Allow for adult swimming space, filtration, and compatible companions.

What aquarium size does Blue Botia need?

Use an aquarium of at least 159 US gal (600 L) or larger / ≥ 59.1" (≥ 150 cm) minimum length.

Is Blue Botia peaceful?

Blue Botia needs more careful companion choice because the temperament data points toward boundaries, space, or similar-sized fish.

What temperature is suitable for Blue Botia?

Keep it between 23 to 28 °C.

Should Blue Botia be kept alone or in a group?

Blue Botia: Keep in a loose group of 6+.