Weather Loach Breeding Guide

Breeding Weather Loaches in home aquariums is rare but not impossible. In their natural habitat, these fish spawn during the rainy season when water levels rise, and temperatures drop. To simulate these conditions in captivity, lowering the water temperature to around 18-20°C and performing frequent water changes can sometimes trigger breeding behavior.

During spawning, the female lays eggs that are scattered across the substrate and plants, which the male fertilizes externally. After fertilization, the eggs will hatch in about 2-3 days, depending on the temperature. Fry require clean, oxygenated water and very fine foods such as infusoria or powdered fry food until they are large enough to eat brine shrimp or crushed flake food.

However, successful breeding is more often seen in ponds, where environmental changes closely mimic their natural breeding conditions. Captive breeding of Weather Loaches is relatively uncommon in home aquariums, and many of the loaches in the aquarium trade are wild-caught or farm-raised.