Edit Nemacheilus masyae

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Name

Scientific name

Nemacheilus masyae

Described by

Authority Smith, Year 1933

Family

Nemacheilidae

Common names

Arrow Loach

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

Nemacheilus masyae is a nemacheilid loach from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Its flanks carry 14-18 short dark bars and its back 12-17 …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

70mm, standard length

Aquarium size

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

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 23–26°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

Malaysia, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Chao Phraya, Endau, Mae Klong, Pahang, Tadi, Terengganu

Writing

Etymology

Nemacheilus: from the Greek nēma, meaning 'thread' or 'filament' and cheilos, meaning 'lip' in reference to the furrowed lip in members of this genus.

Distribution

Described from the Tadi river, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand, and subsequently recorded from the Terengganu, Pahang and Endau drainages in Pe…

Habitat

Has been recorded from both small, blackwater forest streams and turbid main river channels with variable flow and substrates of mud, sand or small rocks. In t…

Aquarium size

A tank with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm or more 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

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

Behaviour and compatibility

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature constitute the best options, especially peaceful, open water-dwelling cyprinids since the presence of one or tw…

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature constitute the best options, especially peaceful, open water-dwelling cyprinids since the presence of 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 Gastromyzon, Pseudogastromyzon, Beaufortia, and Sewellia, plus benthic cyprinids like Crossocheilus and Garra species.

Some similarly-shaped relatives such as other Nemacheilus, Acanthocobitis, and Schistura spp. are excessively territorial or otherwise aggressive, although a combination may work in larger aquaria.

This species is peaceful with conspecifics and seems to appreciate being maintained in a group so the purchase of four or more specimens is 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.

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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

Mature males possess a suborbital flap, thickened first branched pectoral-fin ray and rows of small tubercules on the second and third branched pectoral rays. …

Reproduction

Unrecorded.

Notes

The specific name has been spelled both masyae and masyai in the past but following Kottelat (2012) the latter is either a misspelling or unjustified emendatio…

References

9 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