Homaloptera

This rarely-traded species is a member of the H. ocellata 'group' of closely-related congeners, an assemblage which currently comprises H. ocellata, H. bilineata, H. confuzona, H. orthogoniata, H. ogilviei and H. parclitella. Following Tan and Ng (2005) these share possession of a colour pattern with reddish tints and dark brown head markings, elongate head, slightly compressed body, 61-77 lateral line scales and dorsal-fin origin placed in advance of pelvic-fin origin.

Most records pertain to the Mekong River basin downstream of the Khone waterfalls in Laos and Cambodia, but this species is also known from some smaller river drainages in southern Thailand, including parts of the Mae Klong system. Type locality is 'Khlong Fit at Ban Kraduk Chang, road 3157 from Trat to borai, about 2-3 kilometers after junction w...

The reason that the paired fins are orientated vertically, as opposed to horizontally in other members of the genus, is unclear but Roberts (1989) suggest it may be an adaptation to this species' ecology, in that it displays a preference for submerged vegetation or woody structures as opposed to rocky environments. They're certainly adapted for a rea...

This species appears is rare in the aquarium hobby with the majority of images both online and in the published literature instead depicting H. confuzona or H. parclitella. All three are members of the H. ocellata 'group' within the genus which currently contains H. ocellata, H. bilineata, H. confuzona, H. orthogoniata, H. ogilviei and H. parclitella. Following Tan and Ng (2005) these share possession of...

The water at the type locality is described as 'clear and fast-flowing over a rocky substratum'. H. parclitella was observed in shallow water among the rocks, and sympatric species included Garra cambodgiensis, Neolissochilus soroides, Poropuntius smedleyi, 'Puntius' binotatus, Homaloptera nebulosa and Amblyceps mangois.