Edit Lepidocephalus macrochir

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Name

Scientific name

Lepidocephalus macrochir

Described by

Authority Bleeker, Year 1854, Bracketed

Family

Cobitidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

Lepidocephalus macrochir is a cobitid loach described from Sumatra and since recorded from Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java and Borneo. …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

90mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

2–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Barito, Chao Phraya, Enim, Kapuas, Lematang, Pahang, Solo

Writing

Etymology

Lepidocephalus: from the Greek lepis, meaning 'scale', and kephalus, meaning 'head'.

Distribution

The distribution records for this species are somewhat confusing. It was described from the Lamatang and Enim rivers, Palambang Province, Sumatra and has since…

Habitat

Little information is available. Although sometimes said to be a cave loach Thai collectors have reported it to inhabit deep water and that it can only be caug…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of 75 ∗ 30 cm or more are required.

Maintenance

Must be provided with a soft, sandy substrate since some of its time is spent completely buried. When coarser gravel is used it may become stressed or damage i…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably a micropredator feeding on insect larvae, small crustaceans and suchlike in nature. In the aquarium it will accept sinking dried foods but should also…

Behaviour and compatibility

Peaceful both with conspecifics and other fishes and there exist no reports of it harming tankmates though it may prey on eggs or fry. It fares best in the pre…

Peaceful both with conspecifics and other fishes and there exist no reports of it harming tankmates though it may prey on eggs or fry.

It fares best in the presence of conspecifics and should ideally be kept in a group of 4 or more specimens.

It's a naturally shy species and therefore will easily be outcompeted for food if maintained alongside aggressive feeders such as most members of the families Botiidae and Nemacheilidae.

Better choices include Pangio, Acanthopsoides and Kottelatlimia spp., small cyprinids such as Trigonostigma, Boraras or smaller Danio spp. and anabantoids like Trichopsis pumila.

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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.

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

The second pectoral-fin ray is extended in sexually mature males while females are likely to be deeper-bodied, especially when full of eggs.

Reproduction

Unreported in captivity.

Notes

This species is only available in the aquarium trade sporadically and tends to be expensive. It's traded under various names including 'pinky loach', 'deep wat…

References

8 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