Botia is a genus of loaches native to South Asian rivers, with atlas records from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Thailand. The 11 species covered here range from about 3–10 in and share the loach body plan: an elongated body, barbels around a downturned mouth, and an erectile spine beneath each eye used defensively. Botia was historically a much larger genus, and several well-known species once placed in it, including the clown loach, have since been moved into other genera as the family's taxonomy was revised; what remains in Botia today is still a well-defined, closely related group.
Several Botia species are long-standing aquarium favorites: the yoyo loach (Botia almorhae and Botia lohachata, both named for the Y- and O-shaped markings on juveniles), the zebra loach (Botia striata), and the polka-dot loach (Botia kubotai) are popular for their active, social behavior and the playful, almost mammal-like personality loaches are known for in the hobby. They do best kept in groups rather than singly. Conservation status is mixed but not alarming: 3 species are Least Concern, one is Vulnerable and one Endangered, and 5 remain Not Evaluated, with one more Data Deficient.