{"product_id":"dwarf-chain-loach","title":"Dwarf Chain Loach","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBiosecurity Shipping Limitations apply\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShipping Allowed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTasmania\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Territory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAll Other States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e The Dwarf Chain Loach is a small, active and highly entertaining freshwater loach that makes an excellent addition to planted community aquariums. Recognisable by its distinctive chain-like pattern of dark markings across the body, this peaceful species brings plenty of movement and personality to the aquarium.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike larger loach species, the Dwarf Chain Loach stays relatively small, making it suitable for smaller community aquariums. They are highly social and should be kept in a group, where they will spend much of their time exploring the substrate, weaving through plants and interacting with one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDwarf Chain Loaches are particularly useful in planted aquariums as they actively search for leftover food and small organisms around the substrate. They are generally peaceful with other community fish and are best kept alongside similarly peaceful species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAmbastaia sidthimunki\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dwarf Chain Loach, Chain Loach, Dwarf Loach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 5–6 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful and active\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–6+ recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–28°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy–Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Around 8–10 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquarium Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide plenty of hiding places using driftwood, rocks, caves and dense planting. A soft sand or smooth-gravel substrate is ideal as Dwarf Chain Loaches spend a lot of time exploring the bottom of the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA well-maintained, mature aquarium with good oxygenation and stable water parameters will help keep them healthy and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer a varied omnivorous diet consisting of sinking pellets, wafers, frozen foods and suitable live foods. They particularly enjoy sinking foods that allow them to forage naturally across the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many Dwarf Chain Loaches should I keep?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are highly social and should be kept in a group. A group of \u003cstrong\u003e5–6 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e is recommended, with larger groups often displaying more natural and confident behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Dwarf Chain Loaches suitable for planted tanks?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are excellent inhabitants for planted aquariums and will spend much of their time exploring around plants, wood and other structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Dwarf Chain Loaches peaceful?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are generally peaceful community fish, although they can be very active and playful with other loaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Dwarf Chain Loaches eat algae?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey may pick at algae and biofilm while foraging, but they should \u003cstrong\u003enot be relied upon as an algae-control fish\u003c\/strong\u003e. They require a proper diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Dwarf Chain Loaches be kept with shrimp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can be kept with adult shrimp in suitable community aquariums, but they may eat very small shrimp or shrimplets if given the opportunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKeeping them alone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDwarf Chain Loaches are social fish. Keeping a single specimen can result in shy or unnatural behaviour. Keep them in a proper group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUsing sharp substrate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid sharp gravel that can damage their sensitive underside and barbels. Smooth gravel or sand is a much better choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUnderfeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause they spend so much time foraging, it can be easy to assume they are finding enough food naturally. Ensure sinking foods reach the substrate so they receive adequate nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKeeping them with aggressive fish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir peaceful nature makes them unsuitable for aggressive or highly territorial tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49349770182795,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/DWARFLOACH.jpg?v=1789185584","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/dwarf-chain-loach","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}