Interest in hillstream loaches among aquarists has been growing steadily for about 15 years. Numerous species have proven to be extremely attractive fish that are also easy to care for and breed. As a result, ornamental fish collectors frequently bring back species that have not yet been scientifically identified; however, in many cases, their correct identification is virtually impossible. This is due, in part, to the sheer number of species (as of 2026: 160 species in 22 genera are considered valid; a total of 184 species have been described to date; furthermore, experts agree that only a fraction of the species that actually exist have been scientifically documented), secondly, because their origin is usually known only very imprecisely, and thirdly, because many of the species-specific differences cited in scientific literature are not discernible in living specimens. Our identification of a hillstream loach — new to us and now imported from Vietnam for the first time—as Beaufortia polylepis was therefore based solely on the “picture book” method and is, in this respect, unconfirmed.
However, it is clear that this hillstream loach is closely related to the species Beaufortia kweichowensis (often incorrectly referred to as B. leveretti), which has been kept in the hobby for decades (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/07-carp-like-fishes-1-loaches/beaufortia-kweichowensis-2/). Accordingly, you certainly can’t go wrong by applying the care conditions for this species to B. polylepis as well.
Maximum size: approx. 4–5 cm; Temperature: 18–22°C; pH and hardness: not important for care (tap water); strong current! Diet: Aufwuchs, frozen and dry food of appropriate size; Social behavior: peaceful toward fish of other species; among themselves, the fish seem to form a sort of hierarchy, but this does not lead to damages.
For our customers: these fish are listed under code 373253 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesale customers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
