Edit Acanthocobitis pavonacea
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Name
Scientific name
Acanthocobitis pavonacea
Described by
Authority McClelland, Year 1839, Bracketed
Family
Nemacheilidae
Common names
Peacock Loach
Photograph credits
All 6 credited
Summary
The peacock loach, Acanthocobitis pavonacea, is a large nemacheilid loach from the Brahmaputra River drainage in Assam, northeastern India.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
156mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–24°C, pH 6.5–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India, Brahmaputra
Writing
Etymology
Acanthocobitis: from the Greek ákantha (Gr. ἄκανθα), meaning 'thorn', and kobitis (Gr. κωβῖτις), the ancient Greek name for small fishes that bury in the botto…
Distribution
Type locality is simply 'Assam, India', and this species appears restricted to the Brahmaputra River drainage in Assam State, northeastern India and probably t…
Habitat
We've been unable to obtain any detailed information thus far.
Aquarium size
Base dimensions in excess of 120 ∗ 30 cm will be required long term.
Maintenance
Will do well in most larger, well-maintained tanks if plenty of hiding places are provided, and should not harm softer-leaved plants. However we recommend keep…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Doesn't appear to be herbivorous so probably preys on insect larvae and suchlike in nature. In the aquarium it will accept sinking dried foods but should also …
Behaviour and compatibility
The few reports of captive care that exist suggest this species is bold but not aggressive although its adult size dictates that very small tankmates are best …
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males have an enlarged suborbital flap and should be noticeably slimmer than females.
Reproduction
Has not been recorded in aquaria as far as we know and successes with related species have invariably involved one or two fry appearing in larger, mature set-u…
Notes
This species isn't common in the trade but occasional specimens may be found among shipments of wild caught fishes from northeast India, and it's sometimes see…
References
References
7 on this profile