Edit Mesonoemacheilus petrubanarescui

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Name

Scientific name

Mesonoemacheilus petrubanarescui

Described by

Authority Menon, Year 1984, Bracketed

Family

Nemacheilidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

Mesonoemacheilus petrubanarescui is a loach from the Netravati and Kabini river basins in the Western Ghats of southern India. It may be en…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

50mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 18–25.5°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India, Cauvery, Kabini, Kumaradhara, Netravati

Writing

Etymology

Mesonoemacheilus: from the Greek meso, meaning half, nema, meaning thread or filament, and cheilos, meaning 'lip', in reference to the relatively less-furrowed…

Distribution

Type locality is 'Netravati River, Dharmasthala, Karnataka State, India', with the species subsequently recorded from the Kabini (aka Kabani) River basin and i…

Habitat

Inhabits clear, well-oxygenated, headwater streams and minor rivers. These are often shaded by surrounding forest cover with the substrate normally composed of…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with a base measuring at least 60 ∗ 30 cm is recommended.

Maintenance

Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substr…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Mesonoemacheilus species are omnivorous although the bulk of their diet consists of small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton with only relativel…

Behaviour and compatibility

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature, especially small, open-water dwelling cyprinids constitute the best options, and one or two schools can make a…

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature, especially small, open-water dwelling cyprinids constitute the best options, and one or two schools can make a visible difference to the confidence of this naturally reclusive loach.

Other possibilities include rheophilic loaches from genera such as Pseudogastromyzon, Beaufortia and Sewellia (avoid the more delicate genera, e.g., Gastromyzon) plus benthic cyprinds like Crossocheilus and Garra species.

Similarly-shaped relatives such as Nemacheilus, Acanthocobitis and Schistura spp. are not really recommended although a combination may work in larger aquaria, while sedate bottom-dwellers such as Corydoras spp. catfishes are best omitted entirely.

This species is relatively peaceful with conspecifics and seems to appreciate being maintained in a group. The purchase of four or more specimens is therefore highly recommended.

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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

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Adult females are likely to grow slightly larger and be rounder-bellied than males when gravid.

Reproduction

Unrecorded.

Notes

We're unsure if this species has ever been traded in the aquarium hobby outside of India but there may be a chance of finding the occasional specimen mixed in …

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