Edit Beaufortia kweichowensis

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Name

Scientific name

Beaufortia kweichowensis

Described by

Authority Fang, Year 1931

Family

Gastromyzontidae

Common names

Butterfly Loach

Photograph credits

All 13 credited

Summary

The butterfly loach, Beaufortia kweichowensis, is a hillstream loach from the Xi Jiang (West River) system in southern China. In many count…

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 16–24°C, pH 6.5–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

China, Xi, Zhu

Writing

Etymology

Beaufortia: named for Dr. Lieven F. de Beaufort. kweichowensis: named for Kweichow, China, type locality of this species. Kweichow is perhaps better known as G…

Distribution

Native to the Xi Jiang (West River) system in southern China, the major tributary of the great Zhu Jiang (Pearl River). Type locality is 'San-ho Hsien, Kweicho…

Habitat

Beaufortia spp. are obligate dwellers of shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated headwaters and minor tributaries characterised by stretches of riffles and ru…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measurements of 60 ∗ 30 cm should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Most importantly the water must be clean and well-oxygenated so we suggest the use of an over-sized filter as a minimum requirement. Turnover should ideally be…

Water conditions

Temperature: Its natural waters lie in a humid, subtropical region where air temperatures rarely drop below 60°F/15.5°C and may be much higher in summer. For g…

Diet

Much of the natural diet is likely to be composed of benthic algae plus associated micro-organisms which are rasped from solid surfaces. In captivity it will a…

Behaviour and compatibility

Largely peaceful although its environmental requirements limit the choice of suitable tankmates somewhat. Species inhabiting similar natural waters include Bar…

Largely peaceful although its environmental requirements limit the choice of suitable tankmates somewhat.

Species inhabiting similar natural waters include Barilius, Garra, Devario, some Rasbora, Rhinogobius, Sicyopterus and Stiphodon gobies plus catfishes like Glyptothorax, Akysis and Oreoglanis.

Many loaches from the family Nemacheilidae, Balitoridae and Gastromyzontidae are also suitable although harmless squabbles may occur with the latter group in particular.

Research your choices before purchase in order to be sure and please note that although usually sold as such members of this genus make poor companions for goldfish.

It exists in loose aggregations in nature so buy a group of six or more to see its most interesting behaviour.

While often said to be timid this isn't strictly the case; males are far bolder than females and if a group containing both sexes is present will form small territories in all parts of the tank, with the alpha individual(s) occupying the most favourable feeding spots.

These are defended against all conspecific males and the majority similar-looking species.

Females tend to congregate together in quieter parts of the tank with high water flow and their presence in male territories is normally tolerated, with exceptions usually down to hunger rather than ownership of space.

If only two or three specimens are purchased this species can indeed become withdrawn, though, especially if all are female.

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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

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

The most obvious external characteristics are the shape of the head and body when viewed from above. Females are comparatively broad and heavy-framed, and the …

Reproduction

Presumably a seasonal spawner in nature but nothing has been recorded in aquaria as far as we know.

Notes

One of several loaches traded as 'butterfly loach', 'butterfly plec', 'Hong Kong plec(o)', 'Chinese hillstream loach' or simply 'hill stream loach' regardless …

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