双斑副沙鳅

Overview

Two dark marks at the tail base and numerous body bars help distinguish Parabotia bimaculata. Rarely encountered in aquarium keeping, it requires a mature system with clean, well-oxygenated flowing water.

Distribution & habitat

The type locality is the Laixi River at Luxian, Sichuan, China, within the upper Yangtze tributary network near Luzhou. The full range remains unresolved. This is a river fish favoring clear, oxygenated water over rock or gravel beds.

Aquarium setup

Provide a footprint of at least roughly 120 × 45 cm. Mixed rocks, gravel, and smooth boulders create a stream-style arrangement, with roots and branches supplying shade and pipes adding retreats. Robust attached plants can be placed on wood or stone.

Maintain ample circulation and oxygenation in a fully established aquarium. Stable water quality and prevention of organic waste buildup are essential. Long-term temperatures around 20–24 °C are appropriate; temporary warmth makes maintaining oxygen particularly important.

Diet & feeding

An opportunistic diet of bottom-dwelling insects, crustaceans, and perhaps fish fry is suggested in nature, rather than firmly established. Captive fish are generally adaptable feeders. Alternate live or frozen bloodworms, Tubifex, chopped shellfish, and earthworms with quality sinking foods.

Behaviour & compatibility

It is not especially aggressive, although small companions may be intimidated by its size and activity. Slow or long-finned fishes risk nipping. Peaceful open-water fishes of suitable size are better candidates. Other Chinese botiids and bottom dwellers may be possible after checking temperature, flow, and space requirements.

Members of Parabotia are usually relatively peaceful with one another and appear to benefit from a group, so at least three or four are advised. This genus-level guidance should not be interpreted as universal community compatibility.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are expected to be fuller-bodied, but that alone should not be treated as a dependable way to sex every fish.

Breeding

Aquarium reproduction has not been recorded. Seasonal breeding is presumed in nature, and migration is also possible rather than confirmed.

Notes

It resembles Parabotia fasciata, but has two dark tail-base marks instead of one, approximately 12–15 body bars, 2–4 rows of dorsal-fin spots, and 3–5 irregular rows on the tail. Use the combination of characters for identification.

The movable spines beneath the eyes in Parabotia can catch in nets or puncture skin. Persistent wasting deserves investigation without automatically attributing it to a specific pathogen.