Edit Gastromyzon lepidogaster
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Name
Scientific name
Gastromyzon lepidogaster
Described by
Authority Roberts, Year 1982
Family
Gastromyzontidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 5 credited
Summary
Gastromyzon lepidogaster is a hillstream loach from northern Borneo and the most widely-distributed member of the genus. It occurs in Sabah…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
100mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–24°C, pH 6–8.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
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
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Borneo, Kalabakan, Kimanis, Kinabatangan, Labuk, Mengalong, Padas, Petagas, Sebuku, Segama, Sembakung, Sesayap, Temburong
Writing
Etymology
Gastromyzon: from the Greek gaster, meaning 'stomach' and myzo, meaning 'to suckle'. lepidogaster: from the Greek lepis, meaning 'scale', and gaster, meaning '…
Distribution
Type locality is 'Mengalong River, Beaufort District, Sabah, northern Borneo', but G. lepidogaster is the most widely-distributed member of the genus and in Sa…
Habitat
Gastromyzon spp. are obligate dwellers of swift, shallow streams containing clear, oxygen-saturated water and have been recorded from sea level to 1350 m amsl …
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is large enough to house a group.
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: For general care 18 – 24 °C is recommended but it can withstand warmer conditions provided dissolved oxygen levels are maintained. pH: 6.0 – 8.5 H…
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
Very peaceful although its environmental requirements limit the selection of suitable tankmates somewhat, plus it should not be housed with any much larger, mo…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult females are noticeably heavier-bodied and often a little larger than males; these differences are more apparent when viewing the fish from above or below.
Reproduction
Has not been bred in aquaria and the only observations we know of for any member of the genus were made by German aquarist Philipp Dickmann and published in a …
Notes
G. lepidogaster is occasionally available in the aquarium trade, with the orange form (see below) particularly sought after. It can be distinguished from conge…
References
References
8 on this profile