Edit Yaoshania pachychilus
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Name
Scientific name
Yaoshania pachychilus
Described by
Authority Chen, Year 1980, Bracketed
Family
Balitoridae
Common names
Panda Loach
Photograph credits
All 24 credited
Summary
The panda loach, Yaoshania pachychilus, is a balitorid loach from headwater streams draining the Dayao Mountain in Guangxi, southern China.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
60mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Very high: hillstream or torrent
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 15.5–24°C, pH 6.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
China, Gui, Liu, Zhu
Writing
Etymology
Yaoshania: named for the Dayaoshan, the mountain from where the type species was discovered.
Distribution
Officially known only from a handful of headwater tributary streams draining the Dayao Mountain (Dayaoshan) in Jinxiu County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,…
Habitat
A demersal species restricted to shallow, seasonal, fast-flowing, headwaters and minor tributaries characterised by stretches of riffles and runs broken up by …
Aquarium size
A tank with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm is big enough to house a small group. Though often marketed as such, this species isn't suitable for tiny 'nano' aqua…
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
Much of the natural diet is likely to be composed of benthic algae plus associated micro-organisms. In captivity it will accept good-quality dried foods and me…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not an aggressive fish although its environmental requirements somewhat limit the selection of suitable tankmates. Species inhabiting similar habitats in natur…
Sexual dimorphism
Undocumented as far as we're aware but larger, heavier-bodied individuals are likely to be female.
Reproduction
Unrecorded in captivity and little is known of its natural reproductive cycle.
Notes
Juvenile specimens were first exported for the aquarium hobby during 2009 and have since been available on a sporadic basis with prices generally reflecting it…
References
References
5 on this profile