Edit Aborichthys elongatus

You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.

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

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…

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 substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel and some large water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood branches arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies and shaded spots for this inquisitive species to explore. Since Aborichthys species like to dig decorative items are best placed directly onto the tank base before the substrate is added.

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running water it´s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires spotless water in order to thrive. It also does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and decent water movement in the tank so a powerful external filter/powerhead or two should be added.

While the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Java fern, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor.

Editing needs JavaScript. This is the text as it was last saved.

Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

Paste the address of the page that says this. What counts as a source

DOI

Paste a DOI and we will look up the rest of the reference. A DOI looks like 10.11646/zootaxa.4694.4.1, and most papers print it on the first page.

Title

Enter the title of the paper, book or page. If you leave it empty, we will use the website's address.

Authors

Separate authors with semicolons, e.g. Tan, H.H.; Ng, P.K.L.

Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

Enter the page that says this, e.g. 218 or 218–221.

Anything worth adding

Describe what you saw, or which part of the source says this.

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

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References