From time to time we receive the beautiful, large hillstream loaches Annamia normani (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/annamia_normani_en/) from Vietnam. Recently we received again a shipment of very similar specimens, but they differ clearly from the A. normani we know well by the very contrasting tail fin. Since all specimens (over 50) show this feature, it cannot be a coincidence. The attempt of a determination turned out to be difficult, because important determination characteristics – above all the mouth and lip form) are not recognizable at the living animal without aids. The only hillstream loach of the region with similar body shape and marked caudal fin, for which useful picture material exists, is Vanmanenia crassicauda. But also this species is clearly different from our animals, so that we first decided to call them Vanmanenia sp. Vietnam.

Now we finally got the chance to photograph the animals in peace. The shape of mouth and lips proves: the species is a member of the genus Annamia. From this genus there are only two described species, namely the already mentioned A. normani and a species described in 2005, A. thuathienensis (River Bô, Thua Thiên Province, Huê, Vietnam). However, this species is so poorly described that even proven specialists do not feel confident to evaluate it. Therefore we prefer to call our new Giraffe Hillsteam Loach Annamia sp. (= Vanmanenia sp.) Vietnam.

The care of the animals is pleasantly simple. They like strong currents and oxygen-rich water, but are otherwise undemanding. Among themselves and against other fish they are very peaceful. They eat all common fish food of suitable size, but we have no experience with flake food. Our largest animals are about 10 cm long (incl. tail fin).

For our customers: the animals have code 473134 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Petruichthys brevis is a species of loach that originates from Burma. Here it occurs only in Inle Lake. The species attains a length of only 4-5 cm and thus belongs to the small species of fish. In contrast to most other species of loach, this one is a free swimming, schooling species. The swimming behaviour is similar to that of the penguin tetra (Thayeria boehlkei), eg the fish prefer to swim in a head-up position. The caudal peduncle is slightly snapped off, an adaption to the special swimming style.

Petruichthys brevis can be bred quite easily in aquaria. The fish spawn among fine underwater plants. Males are smaller, have longer pectoral fins and usually a longitudinal stripe on the side, while females grow larger and have a spotted pattern.

Lake Inle has comparatively hard water, so most types of tap water are perfectly suited for keeping this fish. The water temperature can be between 16 and 26°C what makes a heater unnecessary in living rooms.

For our customers: the fish have code 478003 on our stocklist. Please note the we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Along the west coast of India runs a mountain range known as the Western Ghats. There is a hotspot of biodiversity. An unusually large number of species of freshwater fish are endemic there, i.e. only found there and nowhere else in the world. These include the two species of the genus Bhavania, namely B. annandalei and B. australis. We were now able to import the latter for the first time.

If you look at our currently about 3-4 cm long animals, they look like many other hillstream loaches. It will be exciting when they reach 8-9 cm, their final size. Then they develop an attractive, contrasting leopard pattern.

Genetic investigations showed that behind the name Bhavania australis probably 7 different species are hiding, which however cannot be distinguished by external characteristics. For aquaristic practice this means that specimens from different sources should never be used for breeding. Otherwise the danger of unintentionally producing hybrids is very high.

For our customers: the animals have code 396001 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The
Tiger Loaches (Syncrossus) have been placed in Botia formerly. The
members of Syncrossus have a very sharp head. Currently 6 species are
recognized, two of them from Indonesia, namely Syncrossus hymenophysa
and S. reversus. Both can be easily told apart, for B. hymenophysa has
dark tiger stripes on a light ground, B. reversus light tiger stripes on
a dark ground.

Now
we obtained Syncrossus from Indonesia that cannot be safely applied to
one of the two species mentioned, although they are definitively closer
to S. hymenophysa than to S. reversus. But the fish remind one much more
to the also undetermined species of Syncrossus that appeared some years
ago in the market and said to come from Laos.

While
the stripes on the flanks of the new Syncrossus from Indonesia vary a
lot in number, the coloration of the fins is very uniform in all
specimens observed. Most probably the new Tiger Loach will reach a
maximum length of 15-20 cm as reported in the other Tiger Loaches. All
Syncrossus are known to be quite aggressive fish. They should be kept in
large aquaria with a lot of hiding places and in groups. At least five
specimens are needed, otherwise the fish cannot develop their quite
complex social behaviour.

For
our customers: the fish have code 401001 (3-4 cm) and 401102 (4-6 cm)
on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale
trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

We
received this beautiful loch from Thailand. The genus Serpenticobitis
contains only three species, all described in 1997/98. They differ from
each other only in pattern. The type species, S. octozona, has broad,
dark vertical bands with only very narrow light interspaces. In S.
zonata the interspaces are much broader; in both species he dark bands
run down to the belly, whereas in S. cingulata the belly is white.

These
loaches are very peaceful and schooling animals. They become about 6 cm
long. Although they look very much alike members of the loach genus
Nemacheilus, the behaviour is more like a hillstream loach. Like
hillstream loaches, Serpenticobitis are able to attach themselves on
glass etc. The species originates from the central Mekong in northern
Thailand.

For our customers: the animals have code 455012 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time ever we obtained this hillstream loach from Vietnam. The determination is pretty tricky. All features visible in live fish (position of the dorsal fin, coloration, position of the anus) lead to the genus Pseudohomaloptera, which currently includes six described species: Pseudohomaloptera tatereganii (Popta 1905), P. sexmaculata (Fowler 1934), P. leonardi (Hora 1941), P. yunnanensis (Chen 1978), P. vulgaris (Kottelat & Chu 1988), and P. batek (Tan 2009). Three of them, namely P. sexmaculata, P. vulgaris, and P. yunnanensis, may possibly occur in Vietnam, although no one is listed for the country so far. We are not able to clearify this currently.

From an aquarists point of view it is most interesting that these hillstream loaches seem to stay very small. Our fish are about 4 cm long and at least sexually differentiated. When looked at from above the presumably males have larger pectoral fins. The very peaceful fish are easy to keep and feed readily on any type of usual fishfood offered.

For our customers: the fish have code 421579 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Formerly all the deep bodies loaches from Indochina were placed in the catch-all genus Botia. This generic name should be used now only for the Indian species, while the species from Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are placed in Ambastia, Syncrossus, and Yasuhikotakia. We now were able to import for the first time ever a really spectacular coloured species, belonging to the genus Yasuhikotakia, which has been collected in Cambodia, near the Mekong river. This species is still unnamed scientifically, so we provisionally call them “New Cambodian Tiger Loach”.

In fact this species is known at least since 1937, when Fowler (Fowler, H. W. (1937): Zoological results of the third De Schauensee Siamese Expedition. Part VIII,–Fishes obtained in 1936. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 89: 125-264) published drawings he made from it. However, Fowler misidentified the fish as Botia hymenophysa (nowadays Syncrossus h.). There are also many pictures of the new species in the internet; they are determined here almost as juveniles of Yasuhikotakia eos or Y. lecontei. However, both species most often do not display a special juvenile coloration at all, juveniles look like adults. But there are striped individuals/populations documented in several species of Yasuhikotakia (both juveniles and adults), which are currently placed in Y. lecontei, Y. modesta, or Y. morleti. So a lot of time consuming scientific work will have to be done to clarify the status of the “New Cambodian Tiger
Loach”.

The new species will probably attain a maximum length of about 10-15 cm (the photographed specimens are 6-7 cm long). They can be kept easily in the aquarium, like all these botiine loaches. The most important thing is to keep them in large groups, better not less than 10 specimens. Otherwise these fish can develop a very nasty behaviour against other fish in the same tank and become very aggressive. If not enough specimens of a peculiar species are available, one can also combine different species of Yasuhikotakia to hinder that they become over-aggressive.

For our customers: the animals have code 405453 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

These
dwarfish relatives of the clown loach have done a kind of odyssey in
respect of the generic name in the past. Both were originally described
in the genus Botia. Later they were placed in Yasuhikotakia. Only in
2012 they changed to the genus Ambastaia, which has been generated
especially for them. This genus contains only two species, namely
Ambastaia nigrolineata and A. sidthimunki. The genus is defined by the
unique coloration of these species.

Ambastaia
nigrolineata occurs in Laos, Thailand, and China. However, like A.
sidthimunki almost exclusively bred specimens are offered nowadays,
because otherwise only a very seasonal availability would be given. A.
nigrolineata stays almost as small as A. sidthimunki and becomes around
7-8 cm long (including tail fin).

Juveniles
have only two black stripes on an ebony white body, later the males
develope a pattern that is quite similar to that of A. sidthimunki.

For our customers: the fish have code 404702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Every
year in June is import season for Botia-like loaches from China. The
genus Sinibotia currently contains six species. The genus Sinibotia
differs from Botia by the presence of three pairs of barbel (two
maxillary, one mandibulary), while in Botia a fourth pair of barbels is
present on the lower lip.

Sinibotia
robusta is also known as the Kansu loach. This comparatively peaceful
species is best kept at room temperature (18-24°C) without an additional
heater. Maximum size reported for that species is about 18 cm, but in
the wild most specimens become only 8-10 cm long.

For
our customers: the fish have code 405053 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only very few specimens
available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer  

We received beautiful coloured Kansu loaches (Sinibotia robusta) from China. This comparatively peaceful species is best kept at room temperature (18-24°C) without an additional heater. Only very few specimens available!

For our customers: the fish have code 405053 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

We were able to import once more hillstream loaches from Vietnam. Instead of the expected Annamia normai (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/loaches-en/Annamia_normani_en/)
we received another species. The determination is a very tricky thing.
The most coincidences are to the species Homaloptera leonardi.
Especially the scale-less zone between pectoral and ventral fins is said
to be very typical for H. leonardi. It looks at least on our photos (we
had no losses and refuse to preserve fish for determination) that this
feature is present in our new fish. If they are identical with H.
leonardi they should attain a maximum length of about 6.5 cm.

One
very special thing is observable in some of our new fish: they show a
magnificent, bright green coloration. It is unknown to us whether this
represents sexual differences or if these green colours are only a
temporary phenomenon.

Generally
speaking, hillstream loaches should be kept in an aquarium that
imitates a fast running brook. There should be a good current in the
tank. The water temperature should be between 22 and 24°C. One should
offer several types of gravel, sand and stone (up to round river pebbles
of the size of a large man´s fist) so that the fish can choose.
Homaloptera are micropredators and feed on a wide variety of live and
frozen food items. Well acclimatized specimens often also accept dried
food (best: granulates), but one should not do any feeding experiments
in the phase of settling, because uneaten food will pollute the water
heavily.

For
our customers: the fish have code 421579 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited
numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream
loaches are – in general – rather dull coloured fishes. However, there
are exceptions and among the most beautiful species are those belonging
to the genus Homaloptera. Several, closely related and quite similar
species exist. In German they are called “saddle-back loaches”, a
commonly used English name is “lizard loaches”.

For
the first time ever we were able now to import Homaloptera parclitella.
This species has been discovered scientifically only in 2005. The
species attains a length of about 7-8 cm. It inhabits Malaysia and
Southern Thailand. The species is very peaceful, but they do very often
harmless comment fights with conspecifics, which are very attractive to
look at. A perfect water quality is absolutely necessary for these
pretty loaches, otherwise they quickly become sick. So the recommendable
species is better suited for experienced hobbyists.

For our customers: the fish have code 421578 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The
extremely charming juveniles of the Panda loach are available only a
few weeks per year. Obviously this year was a good one for the fish and
they have bred very successful, because a comparatively large number of
specimens is offered for comparatively low prices. Among the good number
of specimens we were able to import this year were – we observe this
for the fist time – a lot of aberrant coloured fish. But most of them
look like one is used to for the youngsters of this species: black and
white rings and a black nose. Fully grown Panda loaches loose this
pattern and get a brownish and greyish coloration. The species attains a
length of 6-7 cm.

The Panda loach has been placed currently in the new genus Yaoshania, so the full scientific name is now Yaoshania pachychilus.

For our customers: the animals have code 445412 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Once
more we received the fascinating cat-eyed loach, Somileptes gongota,
from India. These fish are sand bottom dwellers that originate from
higher regions. Temperature between 16 and 24°C, the water must be very
clean and poor in bacteria, pH and hardness are of lesser meaning (in
the wild, the water has a pH around 7 and a hardness around 8°GH), very
peaceful, maximum size about 12 cm.

For our customers: the fish has code 455393 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

The loaches of the genus Schistura are spread all over South and Southeast Asia. They have much in common with the catfishes of the genus Corydoras from South America: they are present everywhere and there does exist a large number of species. Schistura spilota from Thailand is one of the largest species at all and reaches up to 12 cm in length. The coloration is very similar to many other species of Schistura: the black-red blotch on the origin of the dorsal fin and the stripes that differ individually a lot. But the size of S. spilota makes it unique.

The males of S. spilota become very dark during breeding season and develop thick cheeks. One should keep these fishes in tanks with a sandy bottom and large plates of stone, under which the loaches burry a cave. Schistura spilota fits good in a community tank with larger and rather sturdy other fish like many types of barb.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The
genus Sewellia has made the hillstream loach popular in the hobby. The
splendid Sewellia lineolata is named also orante hillstream loach.
However, there are more beautiful species in the genus which are
imported now and then. Sadly it is often not possible to determine them
exactly. We were able to import one of the latter species now.

In any case this ornate hillstream loach is a real enrichment for the aquarium hobby!

For our customers: the fish have code 455044 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For
the first time we obtained Emperor Loaches (Leptobotia elongata) of a
size of 14-18 cm. However, this is not the maximum length reported for
that wonderful species! It is said to reach 50 cm and 3 kg in weight!
Sadly the gorgeous species is highly endangered in the wild. It is known
only from the upper and middle Yangtse River. Of course the species is
not endangered due to the collecting for the ornamental fish trade, but
due destruction of the natural habitat. Luckily it is possible to breed
this loach in captivity. The Emperor Loach should be winterhardy even in
garden ponds in Central Europe.

For our customers: the fish have code 400404 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time ever we could import
this pretty, red-finned loach from Vietnam, which has the popular name
“Peppermint Loach” due to the bright green shine on the flanks. The
species attains a length of about 12 cm and is very peaceful. One should
keep these fish always in groups, for they are very social animals.

For our customers: the animals have code 430003 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Yunnanilus
brevis is a species of loach that originates from Burma. Here it occurs
only in Inle Lake. The species attains a length of only 4-5 cm and thus
belongs to the small species of fish. In contrast to most other species
of loach, this one is a free swimming, schooling species. The swimming
behaviour is similar to that of the penguin tetra (Thayeria boehlkei),
eg the fish prefer to swim in a head-up position. The caudal peduncle is
slightly snapped off, an adaption to the special swimming style.

Yunnanilus
brevis can be bred quite easily in aquaria. The fish spawn among fine
underwater plants. Males are smaller, have longer pectoral fins and
usually a longitudinal stripe on the side, while females grow larger and
have a spotted pattern.

Lake
Inle has comparatively hard water, so most types of tap water are
perfectly suited for keeping this fish. The water temperature can be
between 16 and 26°C what makes a heater unnecessary in living rooms.

For our customers: the fish have code 478003 on our stocklist. Please note the we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

There is hardly a second species of loach that is as good suited for the home aquarium as Lepidocephalichthys guntea is. The species becomes usually 6-8 cm long, only in very rare occasions larger specimens up to 15 cm have been reported in literature. The animal has a huge distribution area over the north of India and the adjacent countries. Here it often has to live under conditions that can be survived only due to the ability to breath atmospheric air.

The fish are completely peaceful against conspecifics and all other species of fish. Plants are not affected, but should be well rooted, for the loaches dig a bit of course. The water temperature can lie between 16 and 30°C, this is the span that the fish have to face in nature, too. The water chemistry, eg hardness and pH are of almost no meaning. Any tap water the fits for human consumption is also suitable for keeping Lepidocephalichthys guntea.

The sexes can be distinguished best by view from top. Males look quite famished compared with the females and have comparatively larger pectoral fins. The coloration of Lepidocephalichthys guntea varies a lot and this fact led to numerous synonyms. The coloration is not sex-specific or population-specfic and also varies mood-dependent.

There are nor reports of a successful breeding known by us, but it should not very very difficult. It is recommended to try to initate a rainy season for breeding. This means to make large waterchanges with cool (18°C) and soft water after a period that simulates the dry season (no waterchange for some weeks at high temperatures).

All in all: what the Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) is for community tanks with South American fish, can be Lepidocephalichthys guntea for community tanks with Asian fish: a very hardy, nice bottom dweller that feeds reliably on all left over food of its tankmates.

For our customers: the animals have code 424003 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Lepidocephalichthys: means “fish that looks like a Lepidocephalus”; Lepidocephalus is another genus of loach. guntea: after the vernacular name of the species in Bengal.

Suggestion of a common name: Panther loach

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The clown loach is one of the most popular species of loach at all. One should keep this up to 20-30 cm long species always in a small school, for clown loaches are very social animals.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream loaches have become more and more popular in the past years and some of the smaller species are imported on a regular basis now. Currently we received a new species via Hongkong. The very pretty fish attains a length of 4.5 – 5 cm. The males are already mature, they can be recognizes by the “pimples” on the nose. Females stay smaller and lack the pimples.

We have not been able to determine the species without doubts yet. There is some similarity with Pseudogastromyzon maculatus (is often regarded to be a synonym of P. myersi), but to be on the safe side we decided to name the fish provisionally Pseudogastromyzon sp. Red Fin in reference to the beautiful red-orange caudal fin that is presented by both sexes.

For our customers: the fish have code 445833 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

This top-rarity among the hillstream loaches reached us from Vietnam, where the genus Annamia is represented by this single species. A second, formally described species (A. thuathiensis), also from Vietnam, needs to be researched. A. normani has also been reported from Laos and Cambodia.

Annamia normani attains a maximum length of about 10 cm and is thus a large an representative hillstream loach. The fish is hardly shy and can be thus good observed in the aquarium. The pectoral and ventral fins are curled up and thus work like the heck spoiler of a racing car. They help the fish to stay near the bottom in water with strong current and save the power of the fish.

Annamia feed on Aufwuchs and so they need fine frozen and live foods as well as plant material. Food flakes are usually taken readily. Against tankmates, may they belong to their own or to other species, Annamia normani have proofed to be quite peaceful.

For our customers: the fish have code 364253 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very m
limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Annamia: after the old name for a larger part of what is nowadays Vietnam, eg “Annam”. Thus the name means “coming from Annam”. normani: dedication name for John Roxborough Norman (1898-1944), British ichthyologist , who worked inter alia at the British Museum in London.

Suggestion of a common name: Vietnamese Giraffe Loach

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

We received this beautiful and absolutely peaceful loach from China. The species is an ideal bottom dweller for unheated community tanks. The optimal temperatures for the fish are between 10 and 24°C. Females become around 10 cm long, while males stay much smaller. The fish, which could be named “Largespotted Spiny Loach”, feeds readily on any type of usual fishfood.

For our customers: the animals have code 411053 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time ever we can offer this charming dwarf loach from the North of India. Maximum length of the species is only 4.5 cm. The fish is undemanding and completely peaceful.

For our customers: the animal has code 454882 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pysoschistura: combined from the ancient Greek word for “bladder” and Schistura, which is the name of another genus of loach. Refers probably to the anatomy of the air bladder. elongata: Latin, means “prolonged, protracted”.

Suggestion of a common name: Firefly loach

Text & Photo: Frank Schäfer

Currently we have extraodinary wonderful, adult, 4-6 cm long loches of that species, which is also traded under the name of “medusa loach”, in stock.

For our customers: the fish have code 455012 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Serpenticobitis: means “snake-Cobitis”; Cobitis is another genus of loach. octozona: means “with eight bands”.

Suggestion of a common name: Medusa Loach

Text & Photo: Frank Schäfer

We received very nice specimens of this nano-loach from Thailand – maximum length reported for the species is only 4.5 cm.  Available in limited numbers only!

For our customers: the fish have code 454982 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time we received the fascinating cat-eyed loach, Somileptes gongota, from India. These fish are sand bottom dwellers that originate from higher regions. Temperature between 16 and 24°C, the water must be very clean and poor in bacteria, pH and hardness are of lesser meaning (in the wild, the water has a pH around 7 and a hardness around 8°GH), very peaceful, maximum size about 12 cm.

For our customers: the fish has code 455393 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

This pretty loach is distributed in Laos, Thailand and parts of China. Obviously it is a close relative of the dwarf chain loach, Y. sidthimunki, and the behaviour of Y. nigrolineata is absolutely the same.
However, there are two distinguishing features – besides the coloration: first, Y. nigrolineata become a bit larger, about 8 cm long; twice, Y. nigrolineata likes cooler water temperatures. It is best to keep it at room temperature. So it is the ideal fish for all energy savers!
For our customers: Y. nigrolineata has code 404702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Yasuhikotakia: dedication name. nigrolineata: Latin, means “black striped”; sidthimunki: dedication name.
Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

The genus Yunnanilus comprises a comparably high number of species: 30 species are currently recognized as valid, but there are for sure much more species. Most known species have a very small distribution area. If you realize that only a very small part of the waters in the area of the genus have ever been subject of a scientific survey it becomes clear that many species still remain undiscovered.

In the hobby so far three species are known. Two of them are also known to science whereas the third represents an undescribed species. The latter is subject of this note: Yunnanilus sp. “Rosy”. This tiny species belongs to the smallest species of loach known so far. It hardly ever becomes longer than 3 cm. It shows a very unusual behaviour, compared with other loaches. It is not a bottom dweller at all, but prefers to swim in a school in open water. Only for taking food or for resting (preferably on a kind of lookout) it sinks to the ground.

Another very special feature of this genus of loach is worth mentioning: the members develope a strong sexual dichromatism. This means, males and females have a different coloration. In case of Yunnanilus sp. “Rosy” the male’s basic colour is ivory-whitish, and the female has a very pretty orange-rosy basic coloration.

This dwarf species is completely peaceful. It is collected in the very same area in Burma where the Galaxy rasbora (Celestichthys margaritatus) is collected. This means they sometimes like cooler temperatures (16-20°C in winter, 22-26°C in summer). In nature, the water is medium hard and neutral (pH 7.6). However, the fish proved to be undemanding in this respect in the aquarium.

For our customers: the species has code 478502 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Currently we were able to import this nice hillstream loach from Laos for the first time. The species is restricted to the Kong river influence in Laos and Vietnam. Maximum length is around 6 cm. The species has a very interesting sexual dimorphism. Males – which are in general more tiny than females – develope patches of tubercles on the pectoral fins. The sense of this is not researched yet.

Like all Sewellia these fish like strong current. They are completely peaceful against tankmates, may they belong to their own or to different species. However, one must make sure that the fish get enough food. Frozen food, especially bloodworm, is readily taken.



Lexicon: Sewellia: dedication name. speciosa: Latin, means “beautiful, showy”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Vanmanenia pingchowensis
Only three specimens of this attractive species were imported recently. The fish are about 8 cm long and seem to be almost fully grown. The species is found in mountain strams, where they live on the bottom between pebbles.

Erromyzon sinensis
This is a small species, reaching hardly 5 cm. It is interesting that they differ much in coloration. Some specimens are almost uniform brown while others have a pattern of fine stripes. The species is restricted to the West River.

Sinogastromyzon wui
This is the only hillstream loach of today´s update that we have more or less regulary in stock. They are very pretty and reach around 6 cm in total length. The species is found on the island of Hainan and in the Zhujiang River on the Chinese mainland. Golden (xanthotistic) specimens occur regularly. Normally the basic colour of the fish is a warm brown.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Crossostoma lacustre

Crossostoma lacustre is a species that we were able to import for the very first time now. It is endemic on Taiwan. That means it occurs nowhere else in the World. Despite its scientific name (lacustre means: „Living in a lake“) it is found in nature only in heavily torrent waters of small brooks. The maximum size reported for that species is 12 cm.
Homaloptera tweedei

Homaloptera tweedei is a chraming dwarf species that reaches only 4-5 cm in length. Although it is not that much colorful it is a real eyecatcher due to its funny behaviour. In nature – we get this species from Thailand – it lives in medium sized streams where it swims over on large stone plates and stuff like that.

Gastromyzon punctulatus (G. ctenocephalus?)

The island of Bormeo is home to a very large number of hillstream loaches. Sadly it is virtually imposible to give a correct name on them, although a great revision of these fishes was published quite recently (2006). But there are many species which are known already but which are not yet described formally and thus it is impossible to identify them. So in the trade we use the catch-all name Gastromyzon punctulatus for this group of species, as it was also usually in the scientific literature until 2006.

Leaving the difficulties in naming the species aside these spotted hillstream loaches are wonderful aquarium inhabitants. As they come from tropical areas they can be kept in heated tanks. The species we actually have in stock has very nice blue fin membranes, but sadly they show them only for a very short time. The fish become 6-7 cm long. Their body coloration varies between light brown and deep black. Scattered over this ground coloration are yellow spots of different size. Currently our species is often identified as G. ctenocephalus.

Gastromyzon punctulatus (G. ctenocephalus?)

For our customers: Crossostoma lacustre has the code 412692, Homaloptera tweedei 421632 and Gastromyzon punctulatus 416562. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

This is by far the most often offered hillstream loach. It originates from China and Vietnam, but is currently imported from China only. The whole habitus is very similar to the Sewellia species we presented yesterday. The coloration is formed by pretty black spots on golden underground.

The most important fact one has to know about B. leveretti is that this is not a tropical fish at all, but comes from moderate climate zones. Thus it is impossible to keep it in a long time sight at water temperatures above 24°C. The ideal range is 12°C in winter and 21°C in summer. Avoid abrupt jumps in temperature!

B. leveretti is therefore an ideal inhabitant of unheatet aquaria and helps you to save energy costs. A perfect tankmate for B. leveretti is the White cloud mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes. A school of that fish containing about 15-20 specimens in the water column and 10-12 Beaufortia form a very nice picture.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Currently we can offer a great number of varieties off hillstream loaches. That´s the reason for this week´s special. We want to show you how interesting and diverse these fishes are.

Sewellia lineolata

Systematically speaking, the hillstream loaches belong to the family Baltoridae. This means that they are close relatives of the river loaches (Nemacheilus, Schistura etc) which are also members of the Balitoridae. Hillstream loaches are adapted to live in fast flowing water. Their pectoral and ventral fins are formed like the spoiler of a car and have the very same function: the water that flows over the fish presses them down. So the fish can withstand the current without much loss of energy.

In some species this fin apparatus is so effective that it enables the fish to climb over water falls!

As they are relatives of the river loaches they feed on a great variety of small animals, but they do not eat algae! In the aquarium they will accept frozen food, live food and many will also take dried food. Among each other they are usually peaceful. Short huntings are the worst they have to face from congeneers. Other species become usually totally ignored.

The tank setup for hillstream loaches should be orientated on a brook. It should content stones and roots. Plants are of minor interest for the fishes. One should know that all hillstream loaches are very sensitive against nitrite.

Breeding hillstream loaches was successful in recent times. Since the first importation of the spectacular Sewellia lineolata aquaristis developed a great ambition to breed them. Females are larger and thicker. They spawn almost daily over a long period. Breeders offer clusters of pebbles with 2-4cm granualtion. The eggs disappear in these clusters and cannot be eaten by the always hungry parents. The gaps between the pebbles are also home for the fry until they are big enough to leave them without being in danger to end as food for the parents.

Sewellia sp. “Spotted”

Our journey through the world of hillstream loaches starts with Sewellia. We have in stock three species from Vietnam: Sewellia lineolata that can grow up to 6.5–7cm, an undescribed species called S. sp. „Spotted“ and for the first time ever S. breviventralis. The latter has been described in the year 2000. The scientists knew at the time only juvenile specimens. We can offer also adult specimens of about 6cm length. Many specimens show broad barres over the back, but the coloration varies a lot individually and there are also almost plain animals.

Sewellia breviventralis

Although S. breviventralis is known as an extremely rheophilous species they thrive very well in captivity. All three species of Sewellia should be kept at temperatures between 18 and 24°C. Higher temperatures over a long period lead to starving fishes. Their metabolism then needs more energy than the fish can feed. The remaining water conditions are of minor interest. Moderatly hard water with a neutral pH is perfect.

Sewellia breviventralis

For our customers: Sewellia lineolata has codenummer 455054, S. breviventralis 455043 and S. sp. „Spotted“ 455075 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time we were able to import these charming hillstream loaches. Due to their origin (China) and their black&white coloration we call them dwarf panda hillstream loaches. Although the species has been scientifically described back in 1980 in a Chinese journal almost nothing has been published concerning the beautiful animal since then.

Our specimens are around 3 cm long. Unfortunately we have no reliable information about how big they can grow. But there can be no doubt that these small beauties that seem not be be delicate at all are a „must have“ for any real loach enthusiast.

Text and photo: Frank Schäfer

They behave like barbs, scientifically however they belong to the loaches. Completely contrary to the bottom-oriented way of life of their relatives they populate the free water range as swarm fishes. Their homeland is Burma, where they live in slowly flowing waters and the boundary region of lakes. With a length of approximately 6 cm they find place in each aquarium and can fascinate the interested hobbyist by their atypical “loach behavior”. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

From northern Thailand originates the Dwarf Loach formerly known as Botia sidthimunki. Since it is a rather small (6 cm) and very peaceful species, it represents an ideal member for an asiatic community tank. There it can be kept together e.g. with small representatives of the genera Danio, Rasbora and Microrasbora . One should always maintain them in small groups of at least 5 animals, since they estimate the contact to conspecifics. In the group is always movement and such an aquarium never gets boring. To its well-being the water should not be too hard, and in the aquarium should be some retreat areas (bogwood, coconut bowls, bamboo canes etc.) available. As in proper style plants Cryptocoryns, Javafern and other asiatic plants can be used. Naturally that can be done also with Echinodorus species and Neon Tetras, to the Dwarf Loaches it might be all the same. In feeding they are unproblematic, breeding in aquaria did probably not succeed so far. Since they belong in their homeland to the protected species, nowadays the traded Dwarf Loaches are pond bred and originate from Thailand or Malaysia.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

The ever first import of Botia sp. “New Emperor”, probably comes from the borderland of Burma/Thailand. It should appear in a decadal yearly rhythm in a large amount and can only be caught then. An area informed ichthyologist stated that transportation through bordering hilly regions can only be helped by small mopeds, where a slight amount of these animals (about 20) can be transported. It’s not surprising that these animals are very rare and have a certain price. Besides being relatives of the Botia rostrata group, they are quite large and show a very appealing pattern on a powerful yellow coat. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

In our picture you see an interesting mutant of the clown loach, which reached us these days. Although Chromobotia macracanthus formerly known as Botia macracantha is a long time tank inhabitant, it is still not without mysteries. This applies particularly to the breed, so far we have only coincidence success. Also in the maintenance they can make problems, since they are very susceptible to stress. Catching and transfer should take place only in absolutely necessary situations, because they are particularly prone to whitespot disease (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) when stressed in any way. When well acclimatized clown loaches are beautiful and interesting fishes. A certain behavior can surprise the inexperienced owner. Sometimes they lie on their side when resting – which may alarm those not familiar with it, as the fish may appear to be ill! They may also make audible clicking sounds, particularly at feeding time. They tend to be more active if kept as a small group, rather than singly or in pairs. Further there should be a lot of hiding places in the aquarium to keep the stress for the animals as small as possible.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Sewellia lineolata belongs surely to the most attractive hillstream loaches. Their origin is the of the Mekong basin in China, Viet Nam and Cambodia. There they inhabit fast flowing water sections with rapids and riffles. In the aquarium they like it not to hot a heater is not necessary for their well-being.
As day-active insecteaters they are a real enrichment for the aficionado of East Asian fishes. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

This loach belonging to the family of River loaches (Baltoridae) originates from Darjeeling and Assam in the eastern Himalayan mountains, Northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, where it lives in fast streaming rivers. This is a peaceful species, which is suitable for a well-kept aquarium. This loach should be nurtured in a well filtered and aerated fish tank with water having high oxygen contents. The final length of this fish should not extend 6 cm. They are omnivorous with a preference for mosquito larvae. The genus Schistura incorporates more then 50 members, who are all very difficult to determinate without thorough morphological investigation.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

To an unusually large about 200 species comprehending genus belongs Schistura nicholsi the Redtail Zebra Sand Loach. It originates from the Mekong basin in Thailand and Laos, where it inhabits fast flowing waters on a stony ground. This is to be considered during its aquarium maintenance. In order to ensure a high oxygen content and obtain a sufficient current in the aquarium, it should have an efficient filter. With approximately 9 cm they attain full growth, tanks of 1 m length are sufficiently large for a group of at least 5 animals. With pebbles in different sizes and some roots you can try to arrange a bank seam in the aquarium. This is accepted enthusiastically by the fish, always they are on investigation and search for food. At most they like living insect larvae, can however be accustomed without any problems to frosted and also flake food. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

From the watershed of the Mekong originates this circa 15 cm long getting loach. The name red finned loach is something misleading, since not all animals show this colouring in all stages of age. During their development they change colours and pattern. Young animals usually exhibit a pattern of stripes which disappears during ageing. In their homeland they inhabit running waters on a stony ground. For their maintenance it should be considered that Y. lecontei (formerly known as Botia l.) is predominantly active at dawn and night, thus sharp light should be avoided. Since they are very active swimmers, the aquaria should have a length of at least 1 m. The food should contain mostly meaty components, snails are a favoured delicacy. About their natural reproduction in captivity no information is present to us. Probably it has, as with the predominant number of loaches, not yet occured.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)