HomeFreshwater aquarium fishLoachesSkunk botia Skunk botia (Yasuhikotakia morleti) Scientific name: Yasuhikotakia morleti Tirant, 1885 Photo: https://www.loaches.com/species-index/yasuhikotakia-morleti The Skunk botia (Yasuhikotakia morleti) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). In the aquarium it needs a tank of at least 110 L (29 US gal), water at 26–30°C (79–86°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: Asia, Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, and peninsular Thailand. Skunk botia care at a glanceCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size10 cm (3.9 in)Minimum tank110 L (29 US gal)Temperature26–30°C (79–86°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)DietCarnivore. Accepts frozen foods and live foods. BiologyDorsal soft rays: 12-13; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 28 - 30. Has 7-9 branched dorsal-fin rays; a mid-dorsal stripe from head to tail, extending ventrally as vertical bar on caudal peduncle; erect ethmoid spine perpendicular to snout when viewed from above; large mental lobe; body golden brown, sometimes with a series of narrow bars in young individuals; a few vertical dark vermiculations on flank; few black dots on caudal fin.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameYasuhikotakia morletiFamilyCobitidae (Loaches)OrderCypriniformes (Carps)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length10.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 demersalClimateTropicalDistributionAsia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, and peninsular Thailand.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More loachesDwarf botiaYasuhikotakia sidthimunkiRedtail botia / Blue botiaYasuhikotakia modestaClown loachChromobotia macracanthusTiger loachSyncrossus hymenophysaBanded mountain loachAcanthocobitis urophthalmusHorseface loachAcantopsis choirorhynchosSee all loaches Can it live with...?Skunk botia and Banded mountain loachSkunk botia and Clown loachSkunk botia and Dwarf botiaSkunk botia and Redtail botia / Blue botiaSkunk botia and Tiger loach SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026