Edit Lepidocephalichthys hasselti

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Name

Scientific name

Lepidocephalichthys hasselti

Described by

Authority Valenciennes, Year 1846, Bracketed

Family

Cobitidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

Lepidocephalichthys hasselti is a cobitid loach described from Java and recorded from Myanmar to Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 23–26°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

2–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Chao Phraya, Dong Nai, Duc My, Mekong, Salween, Tonlé Sap

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Described from the 'Tjelankakam' (Tjelankahan) River' on the island of Java, Indonesia but since recorded from Myanmar (Salween River system), Thailand (Chao P…

Habitat

Most commonly found in shallow, slow-moving sections of streams or calm habitats such as swamps, oxbows, backwaters and paddy fields. These are often heavily-v…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm or more are required.

Maintenance

Not difficult to keep but must be provided with a soft, sandy substrate since some of its time will be spent completely buried, or with only eyes protruding. W…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Chiefly a micropredator typically sifting mouthfuls of substrate through the gills from which insect larvae, small crustaceans and suchlike are extracted. In t…

Behaviour and compatibility

Lepidocephalichthys spp. are peaceful both with one another and other fishes and there exist no reports of them harming tankmates though they may prey on eggs …

Sexual dimorphism

In mature males the pectoral fins are enlarged with fused, thickened innermost (7th and 8th) rays forming a structure known as the lamina circularis. This gene…

Reproduction

Presumably a seasonal spawner in nature but hasn't been bred in captivity as far as we know.

Notes

L. hasselti is widely-distributed and thus relatively common in the aquarium hobby. It's distinguishable from congeners by a combination of characters includin…

L. hasselti is widely-distributed and thus relatively common in the aquarium hobby.

It's distinguishable from congeners by a combination of characters including: truncate caudal-fin; a scaleless patch on top of the head; reticulated patterning in the caudal-fin; irregular spotted patterning on flanks, most often forming a row of adjacent dark blotches or solid stripe with a light, unpigmented stripe above; relatively narrow caudal peduncle; usually a small, black spot at the base of branched caudal-fin rays 3-4, replaced by a dark patch if not present; lamina circularis in males composed of fused, thickened 7th and 8th pectoral-fin rays forming a small, rounded, dorsally-orientated flange-like structure.

The family Cobitidae, often referred to as 'true' loaches, is widely-distributed across most of Eurasia with the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China representing particular centres of species diversity.

Phylogenetic analyses by Tang et al. (2006), Šlechtová et al. (2007) and Šlechtová et al. (2008) revealed that the group constitutes a separate genetic lineage to the family Botiidae (the two were previously grouped together under Cobitidae as subfamilies Cobitinae and Botiinae).

In the most recent study Lepidocephalichthys was not found to be as closely-related to Pangio, Lepidocephalus or Kottelatlimia as previously hypothesised though unfortunately the authors stop short of proposing an alternative theory.

All cobitids possess sharp, motile, sub-ocular spines which are normally concealed within a pouch of skin but erected when an individual is stressed e.g. if removed from the water. Care is therefore necessary as these can become entangled in aquarium nets and with larger species even break human skin.

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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.

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Year

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References

15 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