It eats plankton, small crustaceans, insects and their larvae, flat algae, dry or aquatic plant debris and algae, and sometimes underwater humus. In captivity, it also prefers rice bran, bran, bean cake, snails, earthworms, silkworm chrysalis powder, fish and the offal of poultry and livestock. Loach in nature, generally come out at night to feed, artificial rearing is also swallowed during the day, especially the reproductive period, daytime and evening eating are very vigorous. Generally 25 to 30 ℃ feeding the most vigorous, the fastest growth; 20 ℃ below, feeding reduced, slow growth.