Liu

The paradise fish, Macropodus opercularis, is a labyrinth fish from China south of the Yangtze, including Taiwan and Hainan, plus Vietnam and Laos. Imported to France in 1869, it was among the very first ornamental fish brought to Europe. Wild examples are uncommon in the hobby since it is farmed extensively, and xanthic, albino, red, blue and stripeless strains exist. Males are territorially aggressive, especially when breeding, and should not be housed together unless the aquarium is very large.

The golden zebra loach, Sinibotia pulchra, is a botiid loach from the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) system in southern China. It is also sold as the 'golden Chinese loach' or '12-banded Chinese loach' and, with S. robusta, is the most commonly traded Sinibotia, the two often imported in mixed batches. It is reclusive but very peaceful, and the gregarious nature of the genus means 3-4 should be the minimum purchase.

The Kansu loach, Sinibotia robusta, is a botiid loach from the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) system in Guangxi, southern China. Its deeper, stockier body separates it from other Sinibotia. With S. pulchra it is the most commonly traded member of the genus, and the two are often imported in mixed batches. Young fish have around 6 dark bars that usually bifurcate as they mature.

The panda loach, Yaoshania pachychilus, is a balitorid loach from headwater streams draining the Dayao Mountain in Guangxi, southern China. The name comes from the black-and-white-striped juvenile pattern, which fades in older fish, so only young fish tend to be traded, sometimes labelled 'panda goby'. It needs clean, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water, and though often marketed for them it is not suitable for tiny 'nano' aquaria.