Edit Liniparhomaloptera disparis

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Name

Scientific name

Liniparhomaloptera disparis

Described by

Authority Lin, Year 1934, Bracketed

Family

Gastromyzontidae

Common names

Broken-band Hillstream Loach

Photograph credits

All 13 credited

Summary

The broken-band hillstream loach, Liniparhomaloptera disparis, is a gastromyzontid from the Pearl River system of southern China and from H…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–24°C, pH 6.5–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

China, Hong Kong, Hainan, Dong, Zhu

Writing

Etymology

Liniparhomaloptera: Honouring Chinese ichthyologist Shu-Yen Lin; and the genus Parhomaloptera of the type species. disparis: Latin dispar, meaning dissimilar, …

Distribution

Described from Guangdong Province on the southern coast of mainland China and since recorded from various parts of the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) system which dra…

Habitat

Restricted to shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated headwaters mand minor tributaries characterised by stretches of riffles and runs broken up by pools or c…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm or more are recommended.

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

Temperature: Its natural waters lie in a humid, subtropical region where air temperatures rarely drop below 60°F/15.5°C and may be much higher in summer. For g…

Diet

Apparently a generalised omnivore as it not only consumes algae, Cyanobacteria, and other biofilm but also small live and frozen fare such as bloodworm and Tub…

Behaviour and compatibility

Relatively peaceful although its environmental requirements limit the selection of suitable tankmates somewhat, plus it should not be housed with any much larg…

Sexual dimorphism

Sexually mature females are larger, heavier-bodied and more socially dominant than males.

Reproduction

This species has been bred in aquaria on several occasions and is among a number of related species known to bury their eggs within the substrate. It appears t…

This species has been bred in aquaria on several occasions and is among a number of related species known to bury their eggs within the substrate.

It appears to reproduce seasonally for a period of approximately six months with a few weeks of pre-spawning activity, during which the behaviour described below is observed but no eggs deposited.

The timing of this period appears to correspond with the annual dry season which in southern China and Hong Kong occurs between October and April.

The process itself is always initiated and controlled by the female, and she is also responsible for selection and excavation of the egg deposition site. A gravid female may simply select a site and wait there for a partner, or actively go in search of males and try to bring them to the site.

Partner selection appears quite random in some respects, and a spawning event may involve a single male and female, single female and multiple males, or multiple males and females. In some cases individual gravid females have even been seen to go through the motions of spawning in the absence of males.

When multiple females select the same site a degree of squabbling may occur though this never becomes violent and females have been observed digging into the substrate within a few cm of one another.

Once a spawning site is selected a female eventually excavates a depression by rapid fanning of the posterior part of the body. If no male(s) are present during this procedure she may attempt to raise attention by swimming rapidly to the water surface and back again, or by going in search of males as described above.

Once interested the male(s) tend to remain close by, apparently keeping an eye on proceedings until required, and may be pursued and coaxed back by the female if he attempts to leave.

This process may be repeated several times before any eggs are deposited and the female may also choose to switch sites between laying batches of eggs in some cases.

Post-fertilisation the role of the male is over and the female assumes responsibility for covering the eggs which then develop within the substrate. Unrelated adults have been observed digging for eggs to eat.

The eggs, which are orangish in colour and approximately 1 mm in diameter, hatch in approximately 3 days at which point they measure 3 – 4 mm0.1 – 0.2 in.

They require a further 3-5 days to fully absorb the yolk sac before they begin to emerge from the substrate with a total length of 6 – 8 mm0.2 – 0.3 in, though they are timid and may be tricky to spot for the first couple of weeks.

In a mature tank a few may survive without intervention but if you want to breed this species in numbers a dedicated set-up or grow out container is advisable.

When well-fed a total length of around 25 mm1.0 in is reached after a month with subsequent growth slowing somewhat, and sexual maturity appears to be reached within a year of age.

Thanks to Mike Vulis.

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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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Notes

L. disparis is sometimes available as bycatch among shipments of other species such as Rhinogobius duospilus but also appears on trade lists under the fictitio…

References

6 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