Welcome to LoachWorld! It is the intent of the moderators of this website to provide accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information about some of the most fascinating aquatic creatures on the face of this planet.

Loaches are one of the most diverse groups of fish currently in the aquarium fish hobby. Their distribution ranges from the cool streams of the United Kingdom, to the tropical jungles of south-eastern Asia. Their physical appearance is as varied as their geographical distribution. Some, such as the dimunitive Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki (Dwarf Loach) barely reach 2.5 inches in total length. Others, such as the common Chromobotia macracantha (Clown Loach) can reach nearly 2 feet in TL.

Regardless of one’s personal tastes, there is a loach for every aquarium, big and small, planted or unplanted. Heating too is not an issue. There are many loaches that can actually thrive in unheated aquaria; take for instance members of the Misgurunus family; these “weather loaches” actually do quite well in cooler waters and interestingly enough, react to barometric changes in the atmosphere, thereby predicting of storms and oncoming bad weather!

As you cruise this website, take some time to really appreciate nature’s beauty and how it has manifested itself in the form of these loaches! Enjoy!