Dwarf chain loach care guide
Also called: Dwarf loach, Dwarf botia, Chipmunk botia, Sid loach
The dwarf chain loach is a tiny botia with a chain-link pattern that stays about 2.4 in (6 cm). It swims in busy groups just above the bottom and hunts small snails. Keep six or more on soft sand in a mature tank of 29 gallons (110 L) or more.
Dwarf chain loaches need a tank of at least 29 gallons (110 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 6 cm (2.4 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with dwarf chain loachesSee all tank mates
Dwarf chain loach quick facts
| Scientific name | Ambastaia sidthimunki |
|---|---|
| Family | Botiidae |
| Origin | Mae Klong basin, western Thailand, and the Ataran drainage on the Myanmar border (threatened in the wild; shop fish are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 6 cm (2.4 in) |
| Minimum tank | 29 gallons (110 L), at least 75 cm (30 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 3–12 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (shoaling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Mostly (nibbles soft plants) |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
Six or more need at least a 29-gallon (110 L) tank about 30 in (75 cm) long. Use fine sand, smooth rocks, driftwood and plants such as Java fern and Anubias, and leave open space, as they often swim in the lower middle of the tank. Seal small gaps in decor where a fish could get stuck. Fit a tight lid, since they can jump.
How many dwarf chain loaches in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits dwarf chain loaches is a 29 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Dwarf chain loaches (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | 6–21 |
| 40 gallon | 6–29 |
| 55 gallon | 6–40 |
| 75 gallon | 6–55 |
| 125 gallon | 6–92 |
What you need for dwarf chain loaches
Sized for a 29 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 dwarf chain loaches. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 29 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 29 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 242 lb (110 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 150 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 115–175 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for dwarf chain loaches
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 29 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Dwarf chain loach can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. They need very clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate flow. Add them only to a mature, stable tank and change part of the water every week.
Best tank mates for dwarf chain loaches
These popular species share dwarf chain loaches' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 59 good matches.
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Chili rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ember tetra
2 cm (0.8 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)
Pygmy corydoras
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Cardinal tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)
Cherry barb
5 cm (2 in) · 23–27°C (73–81°F)
Glowlight tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Avoid keeping dwarf chain loaches with
- Cherry shrimp: Dwarf chain loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Nerite snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including nerite snails.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Assassin snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including assassin snails.
Feeding
A small omnivore that leans toward meaty food. Offer sinking micro-pellets, quality flakes and small frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops and bloodworms. Feed small amounts two or three times a day. They hunt small snails but won't clear a heavy infestation alone.
Behavior
Most groups are peaceful, playful and active by day, and unlike most loaches they often shoal in open water. Keep at least six, since small groups get shy or pick on each other. Some groups nip slow or long-finned fish, so pair them with active rasboras, danios, small barbs and tetras. Dwarf shrimp and pet snails are not safe.
Breeding
Home spawning is very rare. The few reports involve big groups in large, mature tanks. Shop fish are produced on farms with hormones. Females are fuller-bodied, while adult males have slightly longer snouts and thicker lips. The species is threatened in the wild, so farm-bred fish are the responsible choice.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Buy a group of six or more at the same time so they settle in together.
- Great for small pest snails, but not safe with dwarf shrimp.
- Use small sinking foods such as micro-pellets that fit their tiny mouths.
- Slightly dim light and plenty of cover bring them out more.
- Add them only after the tank has run stably for a few months.
Frequently asked questions
How many dwarf chain loaches should be kept together?
At least six, and ten or more is even better. In big groups they are bolder and show more of their playful behavior.
Do dwarf chain loaches eat snails?
Yes. They hunt small snails and help control pest snails, but they will also bother snails you want to keep.
Are dwarf chain loaches good for small tanks?
They stay small, but they are very active and need a group. A 29-gallon (110 L) tank about 30 inches (75 cm) long is a sensible minimum.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.