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Gastromyzon zebrinus
A dark stone-clinging loach with variable fine pale bars
Fine cream bars contrast with a dark body, while the head has pale spots or short marks. Individuals vary in the balance of stripes and spots.
- Adult length
- Up to 6.1 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
- Water temperature
- 20–24 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Natural habitat
- Inhabits clear, shallow, oxygen-rich rapid streams, often around cascades, holding position on rocks coated with biofilm.
Keep at 20–24°C, pH 6.0–7.5 and 1–12 dGH. Current cannot replace oxygenation or clean water. Secure the cover because it climbs glass. Check body condition and feeding.
Appearance and identification
Intermediate patterns overlap with G. stellatus, so stripe counts alone are not enough. G. ornaticauda generally has sparser body bars and a blue-green tail centre bordered red above and below.
Floor and movement space
Use a 75×30cm footprint for a group. Mature grazing surfaces and water quality are also essential.
Aquarium environment
Use a mature flowing-water setup with exposed feeding stones and suitable attached plants. An immature planted aquarium lacks the grazing surfaces it needs.
Diet and feeding
Provide mature biofilm-covered stones and supplementary sinking foods. It does not remove every kind of algae; avoid a high-protein diet.
Same-species behaviour
Keep four or more, but individuals defend feeding patches. Spread out grazing surfaces and avoid forceful competitors.
Compatibility limits
Avoid much larger, aggressive, territorial or strongly competitive tankmates. Companions must also suit clean, oxygen-rich moving water. Provide separated mature grazing surfaces and check that subordinate fish can feed.
Similar and related fish
