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Edit Homaloptera bilineata

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Name

Scientific name

Homaloptera bilineata

Described by

Authority Blyth, Year 1860

Family

Balitoridae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 11 credited

Summary

Homaloptera bilineata is a 'lizard' loach from the Sittaung and Salween basins of Myanmar and tributaries of the Mae Klong in western Thail…

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 20–25.5°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

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

Myanmar, Thailand, Mae Klong, Sittaung

Writing

Etymology

Homaloptera: From the Greek homalos (= flat, level or even) and ptera (= wing), a reference to the horizontal positioning of the pectoral and ventral fins. bil…

Distribution

Type locality is 'Tenasserim provinces, Myanmar', which would appear to refer to what's now known as the Sittaung (previously Sittang) River, Bago Division, so…

Habitat

An obligate dweller of swiftly-flowing streams and headwaters containing clear, oxygen-saturated water. It often inhabits riffles and runs and is likely to sho…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is required for long-term maintenance.

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

Not written yet

Diet

Homaloptera spp. are specialised grazers feeding on biofilm, small crustaceans, insect larvae and other invertebrates. In captivity some sinking dried foods ma…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not an aggressive fish although its particular requirements limit the choice of suitable tankmates. Species inhabiting similar environments include Barilius, D…

Sexual dimorphism

Sexually mature females are usually a little larger and fuller-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Presumably a seasonal spawner in nature but nothing has been recorded in aquaria.

Notes

All Homaloptera species appear very similar at first glance but can be told apart by a few characters, the most useful of which to aquarists are the dark marki…

References

References

14 on this profile