S. lineolata was first recorded by Diard over 150 years prior to its 'rediscovery' in the early-1990s. It became available to the aquarium trade in the mid-2000s and swiftly established itself as one of the more popular balitorids in the hobby due to its attractive body markings and ease of breeding. It's also sold under the names 'reticulated hillstream loach', 'Vietnamese hillstream loach' and 'gold ring butterfly sucker'.

It's difficult to…

It’s been suggested that these two may represent the same species but this appears not to be the case. When describing S. albisuera Freyhof (2003) used a series of specimens collected in 2000 plus some larger, spotted fish which had been collected in 1999 and preserved in New York. Although he noticed differences in dorsal patterning between the two series these weren’t considered sufficient to s…

The differences in pelvic-fin structure and gill openings led Roberts to redefine the genus when describing H. eubranchus, whereas Tan (2006) expressed doubts that the two are even congeneric but was unable to reach a definitive conclusion in the absence of fresh material.

At any rate both species can be easily differentiated from Gastromyzon and Neogastromyzon spp. by observing the mo…

L. disparis is sometimes available as bycatch among shipments of other species such as Rhinogobius duospilus but also appears on trade lists under the fictitious scientific name ‘Homaloptera hoffmani’.

It can be told apart from similar-looking members of the genus Formosania by its noticeably shorter barbels and from Vanmanenia spp. by the fact that the rostral fold is not lobed and the mouth is relatively small (25% head width. In addition the lower lip in Liniparhomaloptera is not divided and has a flat, papillated edge.

At time of writing there exist 18 recognised members of the genus though only B. kweichowensis is well-known in the trade with B. szechuanensis unlikely to have been exported. According to Chen, Huang and Yang (2009) it can be distinguished from similar congeners by the following suite of characters: 1 branched and 17-20 simple pectoral-fin rays…

Erromyzon spp. are obligate dwellers of shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated headwaters/minor tributaries characterised by stretches of riffles and runs broken up by pools or cascades in some cases. Substrates are normally composed of smaller rocks, sand and gravel with jumbles of boulders, and while riparian/stream-side vegetation and patches of submerged leaf litter are common features aquatic plants aren’t usually present.

An obligate dwellers of swiftly-flowing streams and headwaters containing clear, oxygen-saturated water. It inhabits riffles and runs and according to studies shows a preference for shallower zones. Substrates are generally composed of gravel, rocks, boulders or bedrock carpeted with a rich biofilm formed by algae and other micro-organisms. Aquatic plants are uncommon and while riparian/streamside vegetation may be present…

E. sinensis was initially included in the genus Protomyzon where it remained until 2004 when Kottelat found sufficient geographical and morphological differences between members of the group inhabiting the island of Borneo and those from mainland East/South East Asia to warrant their separation.

The genus Erromyzon was erected to accommodate the mainland fishes and there are currently three…

This undescribed species has probably not been seen in the aquarium trade yet but is occasionally maintained private collectors. The ‘SK’ numbering system used here refers to ‘South Kalimantan’, home to several unidentified members of the genus.

Gastromyzon spp. are placed into various ‘species groups’ (artificial assemblages of species which may or may not be monophyletic) for ease of reference, and based on colour and patterning G. sp. ‘SK01’ appears similar to members of the G. ridens group which also includes G. crenastus, G. stellatus and G. zebrinus.

For long-term success it’s best to provide a mature aquarium with a plentiful supply of algae-covered rocks and other surfaces. If unable to grow sufficient algae in the main tank or you have a community containing numerous herbivorous fishes which consume what’s available quickly it may be necessary to maintain a separate tank in which to grow algae on rocks and switch them with those in the main tank on a cyclical basis.