Lepidocephalichthys coromandelensis

Where they come from

Lepidocephalichthys coromandelensis is a small cobitid loach from southern India, named after the Coromandel Coast. Think slow streams, irrigation canals, rice paddies, and seasonal floodplains with soft sand, leaf litter, and tangled roots. They like to nose around in fine substrates and duck under cover any time something startles them.

Setting up their tank

Give them floor space more than height. A 20-gallon long works for a group, but if you can swing a 30-40 gallon footprint, they settle faster and you see more natural behavior.

• Substrate: soft sand is best. Fine, rounded gravel can work, but skip anything sharp. They sift and bury their faces, and rough gravel chews up barbels.
• Cover: piles of rounded stones, driftwood, leaf litter, caves, and dense plants. They relax when they have a lot of hidey-holes.
• Light: on the dimmer side. Floating plants or shaded areas help them feel secure.
• Filtration: steady, gentle flow. A sponge pre-filter keeps them from getting sucked in and protects barbels.
• Water: pH 6.2-7.5, GH 2-12 dGH, temp 22-27 C (72-81 F). Keep it clean and stable with regular water changes.
• Air: they appreciate good oxygenation, especially in warmer weather. Add an airstone if the surface is quiet.

What to feed them

They are little bottom pickers that love meaty foods. Mine wake up at dusk and rummage for anything that sinks.

• Staples: quality sinking micro-pellets and small wafers.
• Treats: frozen or live bloodworms, mosquito larvae, daphnia, blackworms, and brine shrimp. Mix it up so they do not get fussy.
• Extras: Repashy gel foods pressed into the sand, or a tiny bit of blanched zucchini once in a while.

How they behave and who they get along with

Peaceful, social, and a bit skittish until they learn your routine. In a group of 6-10 they come out more, do that classic loach wiggle, and sift sand together. Most activity is at dawn and dusk.

• Good tankmates: small rasboras, danios, ricefish, peaceful barbs, honey gouramis, small rainbowfish, and other gentle bottom dwellers like dwarf Corydoras.
• Use caution with: boisterous barbs and large tetras that outcompete at feeding time.
• Avoid: big cichlids, aggressive loaches, crayfish, and large predatory shrimp. They may snack on tiny shrimp babies and snail eggs.

Breeding tips

Not commonly bred in home tanks, but it is doable if you like a project. They are likely egg scatterers with no parental care. What has worked for me once, and for others with similar loaches:

• Condition a well-matched group with heavy feeding on live and frozen foods.
• Set up a separate, leaf-littered tank with fine plants or yarn mops and soft, slightly cooler water.
• Do a series of cooler water changes to mimic monsoon rains and increase flow a notch.
• Adults will scatter small eggs among plants. Pull the adults after spawning so the eggs are not eaten.
• Eggs hatch in about 1-2 days, free swimming around day 3-4. Start with infusoria or vinegar eels, then microworms, then newly hatched brine shrimp once they can take it.

Common problems to watch for

• Barbel erosion: usually from sharp substrate or dirty, mulm-packed gravel. Switch to sand and keep the bottom clean.
• Ich after a chill or stress: treat early with raised temperature, strong aeration, and loach-safe meds at reduced dose.
• Medication sensitivity: they react badly to copper and harsh formalin-malachite mixes. Go gentle, go slow, and watch closely.
• Low oxygen in summer: add air and keep temps reasonable. They sulk near the surface if gasping.
• Jumping: they bolt during water changes or sudden light-on. Lid closed, and flip lights on in stages.
• Getting outcompeted: fast midwater fish inhale everything. Target-feed the loaches after lights out.