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
Social needs
A shoal or group
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…
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
References
7 on this profile