Dwarf chain loach

Overview

The dwarf chain loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) is a miniature, endearing loach that combines the busy energy of its larger cousins with a genuinely peaceful temperament and a small adult size of just 5–6 cm. It is highly social, spending the day shoaling and playing across the tank in a tight group. That mix of activity, small size and gentleness makes it one of the few loaches truly suited to a peaceful community — as long as it is kept in a proper group in stable, mature water.

Tank & water

A group of six suits 90 litres (24 gallons) or more — they are small but active and need swimming room. Keep 24–28 °C with a good filter, decent flow and stable, mature water.

• Soft substrate: smooth sand or rounded gravel suits their foraging — see best aquarium sand and gravel and the substrate hub.
• Hides and planting: caves, driftwood and plants give security between bursts of play.
• Stable water: they prefer an established tank, so keep up maintenance.

Feeding

Dwarf chain loaches are omnivores that forage constantly. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and granules, plus frozen bloodworm and daphnia, which they love. They will nibble small snails too. A good sinking food is essential — see our best fish food picks — offered in small, frequent amounts.

Tankmates

Peaceful and active, they suit calm communities with small, non-aggressive fish — tetras, rasboras, corydoras and peaceful barbs. Being small, they are safest away from large or predatory fish. They mix well with peaceful bottom-dwellers such as the kuhli loach and the bristlenose pleco, and with adult cherry shrimp.

Frequently asked questions

The dwarf chain loach is the rare loach that fits a peaceful community: small, sociable and endlessly active. Give it a group, stable water and hiding spots, and it will shoal and play happily for years.