Edit Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

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Name

Scientific name

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

Described by

Authority Tirant, Year 1883

Family

Gyrinocheilidae

Summary

The sucking 'loach', Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, is a stream fish from the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya, Mekong and Dong Nai basins in Indochina. Of…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

280mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 150 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Territorial

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries

Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Supporting text

Etymology

Gyrinocheilus: from the Ancient Greek γυρῖνος (gyrinos), meaning 'tadpole', and χείλος (cheílos), meaning 'lip', due to the somewhat triangular, tadpole-like s…

Distribution

Described from the mountains of Samrong Tong, Kampong Speu province, Cambodia but is widely-distributed in the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya, Middle/Lower Mekong and …

Habitat

Inhabits flowing streams and tributaries with substrates of boulders, pebbles, gravel and sand, often in areas with submerged driftwood or tree roots. The freq…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 150 ∗ 45 cm60 ∗ 18 in should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Provided sufficient cover is available this species is relatively unfussy in terms of décor, and should not harm softer-leaved plants. However it will thrive i…

Water conditions

Temperature: Active over a wide temperature range of 60 - 90°F/16° - 32°C. Prolonged exposure to conditions towards either extreme of this range is not recomme…

Diet

Primarily an aufwuchs grazer feeding on algae, small crustaceans, insect larvae, etc., and for it to develop its best colours and condition it should be offere…

Behaviour and compatibility

Though normally sold as such this species is largely unsuitable for the general community aquarium. This does not mean to say it must be kept alone, rather tha…

Though normally sold as such this species is largely unsuitable for the general community aquarium. This does not mean to say it must be kept alone, rather that tankmates must be chosen with care.

While small specimens tend to hide away much of the time they become increasingly territorial as they grow and can display particularly high levels of aggression towards similar-looking fishes such as Crossocheilus, Epalzeorhynchos, or Garra spp.

Other bottom-dwelling fishes including cichlids and most catfishes are best avoided as they may be picked on it may even attach itself to the flanks of larger tankmates in order to feed on their body mucus.

For the upper levels choose robust, active cyprinids, characids, or similar. Ideally it should be the final addition to the tank in order to avoid it claiming ownership of the entire space.

Keeping a group is one way to reduce intraspecific aggression but at least half-a-dozen or more individuals should be purchased because they will develop a distinct pecking order and in lesser numbers weaker individuals are more easily targeted. It goes without saying that a very large tank would be needed in order to attempt such a project.

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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 profileFor 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

Sexually mature females are noticeably thicker-bodied than males but it is impossible to accurately sex young fish. When in spawning condition adult males deve…

Reproduction

As far as we know it hasn't been bred in aquaria but is farmed for the trade in large numbers with the aid of hormones.

Notes

This species is among the most well-known fishes in the aquarium trade but juveniles are typically being offered for sale with little to no information regardi…

References

4 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References