Protomyzon pachychilus
Bocia panda, panda loach or protomizone zebra is a very rare fish in aquarists' collections. Due to their scarcity, these fish have a high price, and considering the fact that they need to be kept by a group, their price becomes unaffordable for many aquarists. These fish were first sold in 2009 and since then they rarely appear in retail chains, well, the price reflects their rarity. It should be noted that the panda fish is listed in the Red Book of Endangered Animals of China.
In the wild, Protomyzon pachychilus lives in small mountain streams running up to 885 m above sea level and flowing into the Xi Jiang River in the Dayaoshan Mountains of Guangxi province, China.
The main threats to the lives of these fish come from habitat degradation, including deteriorating water quality due to pollution, hydroelectric dams, electric fisheries and seasonal changes such as severe drying of some waterways.
Juveniles are very attractive, with bright black spots on their creamy white bodies. This colouration of the fish changes dramatically as they mature, breaking up and becoming a less conspicuous but still attractive brownish-creamy spotted colour. A dark stripe is often visible along the lateral line. Sexual characteristics are not pronounced, although we can assume that the females are larger. The maximum size of the fish in the wild is 6.5 cm.
The Protomyzon pachychilus is a peaceful fish. Keep these fish should be a group of at least 5-6. When contained in a single aquarium in the neighbours to the panda bozos need to select fish commensurate with them with a similar temperament and prefer to live in cool water.
Establish biological equilibrium in the aquarium before introducing the fish. Use a substrate of sand or fine sand gravel with small, rounded boulders and pebbles.
No need for driftwood. Do not place excessive amounts of marsh wood on the bottom as it will affect the water chemistry by making it too soft and acidic for these loaches.
Broadleaf plants, although not essential, will make the aquarium more aesthetically pleasing and provide additional resting places for the fish.
Water parameters: temperature 18-22° C, hardness dH to 25°, pH 7,2-8,2. Requires filtration, strong aeration, as well as a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh water. Create a sufficiently strong water current in the aquarium, e.g. by draining the water filter along the back wall of the aquarium or by using a water pump. During the hot summer months, it may be necessary to find ways to lower the water temperature.
Lighting can be bright enough to stimulate natural algae growth and mimic the shallow water conditions in which they occur in the wild.
The diet of fish in the wild consists mainly of small bottom invertebrates. In the aquarium, they will eat most of the small food offered: bloodworms, daphnia, sinking pelleted food, crushed flakes, etc. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
In aquarium conditions Protomyzon pachychilus breeding is not, although we have information that some aquarists managed to achieve spawning through the introduction of hormonal drugs, but this is most likely the exception than the rule.
