The genus Homalopteroides was revalidated by Randall and Page (2012) and is told apart from the related Homaloptera by the following character combination: dorsal-fin origin above pelvic-fin; ≤ 60 lateral-line scales; ≤ 30 predorsal scales; oral morphology consisting of two thin and widely separated rostral barbels on each side of the mouth, thin crescent-shaped lips, the absence of any structure such as a mental pad or lobes between the lateral portions of the lower lip, and a chin that extends anterior to the lateral portions of the lower lip.

Described from close to the village of Ban Khiri Wong, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern (peninsular) Thailand but since recorded throughout much of the country, including the Chao Phraya and Mekong river systems.

It’s also known from Peninsular Malaysia and parts of the Mekong basin in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Rainboth (1996) considered it ‘probably the commonest member of the genus in the Mekong’ and in a 2008 study of balitorid habitats in centra…

Described from Kota Tinggi district, Johor state, Peninsular Malaysia but since recorded throughout much of the country as well as parts of the the Mekong river system in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam plus the Kapuas and several other river basins in Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan) province, Indonesian Borneo.

In the Kahang River, part of the Endau drainage in Jo…

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 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.

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.

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…

This species may not yet have been seen in the aquarium trade outside its native country but has been maintained by a few private collectors.

There are currently three species recognised in the genus, all endemic to the Yangtze river drainage, and they’re separated from other balitorids by a combination of characters including: relatively long, deeply-forked caudal-fin; roun…

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…

Not a commonly species in the aquarium hobby but sporadically available in shipments of wild fishes from Thailand.

Following Kottelat (1990) it’s a member of a group of species possessing a complete or near-complete lateral line, 8 ½ branched dorsal-fin rays, 17 branched caudal-fin rays and lacking sexual dimorphism (the latter is not strictly true – see above).

Its colour pattern is quite distinctive, howe…