Edit Aborichthys elongatus
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Name
Scientific name
Aborichthys elongatus
Described by
Authority Hora, Year 1921
Family
Nemacheilidae
Common names
Red-Tailed Squirrel Loach, Indische Rotflossenschmerle
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The red-tailed squirrel loach, Aborichthys elongatus, is a nemacheilid loach from Darjeeling District, West Bengal, in north-east India. It…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
75mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 15–21°C, pH 6.5–7.5
Hardness
5–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India, Brahmaputra, Chel, Ghish, Relli, Teesta
Writing
Etymology
Aborichthys: named for the Abor Hills in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India, in combination with the Greek ichthýs (Gr. ἰχθύς), meaning 'fish'. el…
Distribution
Andrew Arunava Rao of Malabar Tropicals told us it can be collected only in Darjeeling District, West Bengal State, north-east India from streams and small riv…
Habitat
Mostly inhabits shallow, swiftly-flowing stretches of streams and minor rivers, often with a noticeable gradient. Substrates are typically of rocks and cobbles…
Aquarium size
A group will need a tank with base dimensions measuring upwards of 60 ∗ 30 cm.
Maintenance
Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions - we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to resemble a flowing stream/river with a substrat…
Water conditions
Temperature: Prefers slightly cooler conditions than many nemacheilids so 15 – 21 °C is ideal. pH: 6.5 – 7.5 is normally recommended although values in its nat…
Diet
The bulk of its natural diet probably consists of insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods but shoul…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not especially aggressive but remains largely unsuitable for the 'general' community aquarium due to its specialised requirements. Certainly slow-moving/long-f…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult females should be noticeably fuller-bodied than males but should possess the same basic patterning. A fish with additional body bars and dark blotch-like…
Reproduction
Unreported in aquaria.
Notes
This species may be seen listed as a member of Nemacheilus or the nomen nudum Noemacheilus in older literature and is sometimes sold as 'red tailed, striped sa…
References
References
5 on this profile