Edit Schistura balteata

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Name

Scientific name

Schistura balteata

Described by

Authority Rendahl, Year 1948, Bracketed

Family

Nemacheilidae

Common names

Sumo Loach

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

The sumo loach, Schistura balteata, is a nemacheilid loach from the Tanintharyi river system in southern Myanmar, also recorded in western …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Myanmar, Thailand, Great Tenasserim, Tanintharyi

Writing

Etymology

Schistura: from the Greek schizein, meaning 'to divide', and oura, meaning 'tail', in reference to the caudal-fin shape of many species. balteata: from the Lat…

Distribution

Described from 'Melwedaung, Myanmar', which apparently refers to the mountain 'Mahlwe Taung' located in northern Tenasserim Division, now often referred to as …

Habitat

Like most Schistura it inhabits clear, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water around watersheds and headwaters. These are often shaded by forest cover with the su…

Aquarium size

Even a small group will need an aquarium with base dimensions of 90 ∗ 30 cm or similar.

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…

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 substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood branches arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots, thus providing broken lines of sight.

While the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis, or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor.

Once acclimatised individuals tend to select a particular cave or sheltered space which they defend against conspecifics and similar-looking species so it's important to provide a well-structured environment.

In this kind of set-up it will thrive and can be kept alongside other species that enjoy similar conditions (see 'Behaviour and Compatibility').

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running water it´s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires spotless water in order to thrive.

Though torrent-like conditions are unnecessary it does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and some water movement in the tank so a powerful external filter, additional powerhead(s), or airstone(s) should be employed as necessary.

In order to maintain pristine water quality weekly changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine.

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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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Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

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

Behaviour and compatibility

Not especially aggressive compared with some members of the genus but remains largely unsuitable for the general community aquarium due to its specialised requ…

Sexual dimorphism

Young specimens can be tricky to sex accurately but mature males of Schistura species tend to possess noticeably enlarged mouthparts and 'cheeks'; this being m…

Reproduction

Unreported.

Notes

This species is quite uncommon in the aquarium hobby although its name is sometimes used in reference to the similar-looking, apparently undescribed congener S…

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