Edit Leptobotia microphthalma

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Name

Scientific name

Leptobotia microphthalma

Described by

Authority Fu & Ye, Year 1983

Family

Botiidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

Leptobotia microphthalma is a botiid loach from the upper Yangtze basin in southwestern China, known from the Min and Jialing rivers. Its n…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

150mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 15.5–21°C, pH 6.5–7.5

Hardness

5–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

China, Jialing, Min, Yangtze

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Described from the Min River (Min Jiang), an upper tributary of the Yangtze River (Chiang Jiang), Sichuan province, southwestern China and also recorded from t…

Habitat

Unconfirmed but presumably a riverine loach favouring clear, well-oxygenated, running water with substrates of rocks and/or gravel. Other members of the genus …

Aquarium size

Aim for a footprint of at least 120 ∗ 45 cm.

Maintenance

Should be kept in a set-up designed to resemble a flowing stream with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, gravel and some water-worn boulders. This can be fur…

Water conditions

Temperature: This species is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations in nature and is active over the range 40 - 84°F/4.4 - 28.9°C, although prolonged exp…

Diet

Likely to be a benthic predator hunting insects, crustaceans and smaller fishes in nature. Captive specimens should therefore be offered a varied diet comprisi…

Behaviour and compatibility

Unlikely to prove aggressive but don't keep it with much smaller fishes as they may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour. Slow-moving…

Unlikely to prove aggressive but don't keep it with much smaller fishes as they may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour.

Slow-moving, long-finned species such as ornamental bettas, guppies and many cichlids should also be avoided. More suitable tankmates are peaceful but robust open water-dwelling cyprinids.

In terms of other bottom-dwellers this species should do well alongside most Botia spp., and some cobitid, nemacheilid, and balitorid loaches are also possibilities as are members of Epalzeorhynchos, Crossocheilus and Garra plus many catfishes.

As always, thorough research prior to selecting a community of fishes is the best way to avoid problems.

Leptobotia spp. are sociable animals forming apparently complex social hierarchies meaning 3-4 specimens should be the minimum purchase.

When kept singly they can become withdrawn or aggressive towards similarly-shaped fishes, and if only a pair or trio are purchased the dominant individual may stress the other(s) to the extent that they stop feeding.

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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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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Unknown but presumably females will be heavier-bodied once sexually mature.

Reproduction

Unrecorded.

Notes

L. microphthalma is poorly known in the aquarium hobby although we know of one or two private collectors maintaining it. It's superficially similar to L. tient…

References

7 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