Where Does Chain Loach Live?

Chain Loach lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Chain Loach

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in shallow to moderate depths of slow-moving or still waters.

Environment

Native to clear, well-oxygenated rivers, streams, and associated floodplains with sandy or muddy substrates, often with abundant aquatic vegetation and submerged roots/wood. They prefer areas with plenty of hiding spots.

Geographic range

Historically endemic to the Mae Klong River basin in Thailand. While once thought extinct, small populations have been rediscovered in specific tributaries of the Mae Klong, particularly in the Kanchanaburi Province. There are also reports of populations in the Ataran River basin in Myanmar, though this requires further confirmation.

Explore Chain Loach