Edit Homalopterula ripleyi
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Name
Scientific name
Homalopterula ripleyi
Described by
Authority Fowler, Year 1940
Family
Balitoridae
Summary
Homalopterula ripleyi is a hillstream loach known only from a small area of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on the eastern slopes of the Baris…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
59mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 20–25.5°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
1–5dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Indonesia
Supporting text
Etymology
Homalopterula: from the generic name Homaloptera, a grouping within which this species was formerly placed, and the Latin suffix -ula, meaning 'small'. ripleyi…
Distribution
Known only from a relatively-restricted area with recent collections occurring from rivers draining eastern slopes of the Barisan mountain range between the ar…
Habitat
Detailed habitat information is provided by Gerhard Ott (2009) who in 2003 collected the species for the first time in over 60 years alongside Dirk Dettmers. T…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm31 ∗ 12 in or more ought to prove sufficient.
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
Unconfirmed, but experience with congeners suggests it will not prove aggressive in a community arrangement. Species inhabiting similar environments include Ba…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are likely a little larger and fuller-bodied than males.
Reproduction
Presumably a seasonal spawner in nature but nothing has been recorded in aquaria.
Notes
H. ripleyi can be diagnosed by the following combination of characters: presence of 8-10 saddle-like blotches on the dorsal surface, not reaching the lateral l…
References
References
12 on this profile