All fish / Gastromyzontidae

Danum hillstream loach

Gastromyzon danumensis

Also known as borneo sucker loach, borneo hillstream loach, gastromyzon, danum gastromyzon, butterfly loach, sucker loach, ガストロミゾン・ダヌメンシス, 婆罗洲爬岩鳅

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A small, flattened loach with a rounded sucker-like body, brown with pale spots and markings, that clings to rocks in fast streams. Keepers like it for its odd shape, grazing habits and lively interactions in a well-oxygenated river-style tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

20 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 4 or more with plenty of rocks to split territories

Diet

Omnivore: grazes biofilm and algae, plus algae wafers, blanched vegetables and small frozen foods such as bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sabah, northern Borneo (Malaysia), Danum Valley and Segama River basin

Breeding

Rarely bred in aquaria and little is documented; eggs are thought to be laid among rocks in flowing water. Captive breeding is considered difficult.

Good to know

Needs cool, strongly oxygenated water with good flow and mature surfaces to graze; it does poorly in warm, still tanks. Males squabble over territory, and several similar Gastromyzon species are often sold under the same name.