Edit Serpenticobitis octozona

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Name

Scientific name

Serpenticobitis octozona

Described by

Authority Roberts, Year 1997

Family

Serpenticobitidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

Serpenticobitis octozona is a small loach apparently endemic to the Sekong River basin in southern Laos, part of the lower Mekong system. S…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

55mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 23–26°C, pH 6–7

Hardness

2–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Laos, Mekong, Sekong

Writing

Etymology

From the Latin octo, meaning 'eight', and zona, meaning 'belt or 'girdle', in reference to the colour pattern on the body of this species.

Distribution

The type series was collected from the Sekong River basin in southern Laos, part of the lower Mekong system, and this species is apparently endemic to that are…

Habitat

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

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 75 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered

Maintenance

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

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Omnivorous although the bulk of the diet probably consists of small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton with only relatively small amounts of pla…

Behaviour and compatibility

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature, especially those which swim in open water such as Danio, Devario, Mystacoleucus, smaller Barilius, plus some P…

Fishes which inhabit similar biotopes in nature, especially those which swim in open water such as Danio, Devario, Mystacoleucus, smaller Barilius, plus some Pethia, 'Puntius', and Rasbora species constitute the best options, and one or two decent-sized schools can make a visible difference to the confidence of this naturally reclusive loach.

Other possibilities include balitorids like Gastromyzon, Pseudogastromyzon, Beaufortia, and Sewellia plus Crossocheilus and Garra species. Similarly-shaped relatives such as other Nemacheilus, Acanthocobitis, and Schistura spp. are not really recommended although a combination may work in larger aquaria.

This species is peaceful with conspecifics and seems to appreciate being maintained in a group. 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.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Unreported.

Reproduction

Unreported.

Notes

This species exhibits some interesting behaviour including a degree of social interaction plus the ability to cling to vertical or overhanging surfaces. It's 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