Serpent Loach (Serpenticobitis octozona) is named for its highly elongated, serpentine body — more eel-like than most loaches. Bold dark banding with eight bars — octozona means 'eight-banded' — across a pale body. A specialist loach with distinctive body form and markings, best kept in a setup with fine to medium sand substrate, adequate caves and hiding spots, and clean, well-oxygenated water.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets soaked briefly and Hikari Sinking Wafers make good daily staples. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp or Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms. Feed near the substrate and after the lights dim when most active.
Provide fine sand or smooth gravel substrate, multiple hiding spots, and clean water with moderate flow. Feed primarily at the substrate level. Territorial with conspecifics — provide adequate space and structure.
Compatible with mid-water and surface species. Keep in groups of four or more with enough caves to distribute territorial pressure. Avoid other benthic territorial species in small tanks.
A rewarding specialist loach for aquarists who appreciate unusual body forms and the diversity of the nemacheilid family.
| Difficulty | Easy — Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful with other species — territorial with own kind |
| Typical Adult Size | 3.5 inches (9 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 4 minimum — 1 hiding spot per fish |
| Ideal Temp | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 3–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 1–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets; Hikari Sinking Wafers |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms |
| Origin | Mekong drainage, Thailand and Laos |
| Notes | Highly elongated serpentine body. Octozona = eight-banded. Mekong drainage. |
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