Dwarf Banded Loach
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Add energy and elegance to your freshwater aquarium with the Dwarf Banded Loach (Micronemacheilus cruciatus), a beautifully marked, nano-sized species that’s both peaceful and captivating. With bold black bands across its slender body and a playful nature, this Loach is a perfect choice for planted tanks, nano aquariums, or peaceful community setups.
Growing to just under 2 inches, the Dwarf Banded Loach thrives in well-decorated tanks filled with smooth rocks, driftwood, and dense plant cover. Its inquisitive personality and social behavior make it a joy to watch as it explores every corner of your aquascape.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Dwarf Banded Loach for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
Why You’ll Love This Fish:
- Striking Banding Pattern: Bold horizontal stripes add instant visual appeal
- Nano-Friendly: Maxes out at just ~2 inches, which is ideal for small aquariums
- Peaceful Community Fish: Great with other small, non-aggressive species
- Social Swimmer: Best kept in small groups of 3 or more
- Easy to Care For: Hardy and beginner-friendly with the right setup
Recommended Tank Parameters:
- Temperature: 72°F – 80°F (22°C – 27°C)
- pH: 6.5 – 7.1
- GH: 8 – 12 dGH
- KH: 2 – 4 dKH
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (larger preferred for groups)
Tip: Provide moderate current and well-oxygenated water for best health and activity.
Aquascaping Suggestions:
- Rocks: Use smooth, rounded stones for natural shelter
- Aquatic Plants: Java Ferns, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, and Sagittaria
- Leaf Litter: Indian Almond or Guava leaves for tannins and cover
- Botanicals: Alder cones, Birch, Giant Alder, or Casuarina cones for a soft, blackwater touch
Diet & Feeding:
These Loaches are omnivores and will happily graze on a wide variety of fish foods:
- Staples: Sinking micro pellets, wafers
- Treats: Frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp
- Natural Grazing: Will snack on biofilm and microfauna
Feed small portions twice daily for optimal health and coloration.
Behavior & Compatibility:
- Temperament: Peaceful and curious
- Best Kept In: Groups of 3 or more for natural behavior
- Tank Mates: Ideal with Rasboras, Tetras, Corydoras, shrimp, and other nano species
- Avoid: Large or overly active fish that may outcompete or intimidate
Bring home the Dwarf Banded Loach and enjoy a peaceful, lively addition to your planted aquarium. With its compact size, bold stripes, and curious behavior, this loach adds a touch of wild elegance to any aquascape.
Dwarf Banded Loach Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How big are banded dwarf loaches?
Banded Dwarf Loaches typically grow to just under 2 inches (about 5 cm) in length. Their small size makes them ideal for nano aquariums or peaceful community tanks with similarly sized fish.
What size tank does a dwarf banded loach need?
A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended for Dwarf Banded Loaches. They thrive in small groups, so a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots like rocks and driftwood will support their natural behavior and reduce stress.
How many dwarf loaches should be kept together?
Dwarf loaches are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 7 to 10 individuals. Keeping them in a larger school helps reduce stress, encourages natural behavior, and makes them more active and confident in the aquarium.
