Neohomaloptera johorensis 2 cm  

Homalopteroides tweediei (HERRE, 1940)

Synonyms

Homaloptera tweediei Herre, 1940

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes Family: Balitoridae

Distribution

Described from ‘Shallow rapid creek, Mawai District, Johore, about 40 miles north of Singapore’, which appears to refer to Kota Tinggi district, Johor state, Peninsular Malaysia,

It’s 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.

Habitat

According to Rainboth (1996) it’s less likely to be found in riffles or runs than other members of the genus and shows a preference for moderately-flowing zones of clear, oxygen-rich streams among patches of live or dead vegetation.

In the original description by Herre it’s said to live under submerged grasses and algae over sandy substrates in mid-stream.

In the Kahang River, part of the Endau drainage in Johor state, Peninsular Malaysia it’s been recorded alongside Homaloptera zollingeri, H. parclitella, H. ogilviei and Homalopteroides nebulosa as well asMalayochela maassi, Crossocheilus langei, Cyclocheilichthys apogon, Mystacoleucus marginatus,Rasbora dusonensis, R. elegans, R. paucisqualis, Trigonopoma gracile, ‘Puntius‘ partipentazona,Nemacheilus masyae, N. selangoricus, Neohomaloptera johorensis, Acanthopsoides molobrion, Pangio cuneovirgata, P. doriae, P. kuhlii, P. malayana, P. piperata, P. shelfordii, Pseudomystus fuscus, Akysis microps, A. hendricksoni, and an unidentified species of Glyptothorax.

Maximum Standard Length

35 – 40  mm.

Aquarium Size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 45 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is required for long-term maintenance.

Maintenance

Most importantly the water must be clean and well-oxygenated so we suggest the use of an over-sized filter as a minimum requirement. Turnover should ideally be 10-15 times per hour so additional powerheads, airstones, etc., should be employed as necessary to achieve the desired flow and oxygenation.

Base substrate can either be of gravel, sand or a mixture of both to which should be added a layer of water-worn rocks and pebbles of varying sizes.

Driftwood roots and branches are also suitable and aquatic plants from adaptable genera such as Microsorum, 

Crinum and Anubias spp. can also be included. The latter are particularly useful as Homaloptera spp. appear to enjoy resting on their leaves.

Since it requires stable water conditions this species should never be added to a biologically immature set-up.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 25.5 °C

pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Hardness: 18 – 215 ppm (GH1-12)

Diet

Homalopteroides spp. are specialised micropredators feeding on small crustaceans, insect larvae and other invertebrates.

In captivity some sinking dried foods may be accepted but regular meals of live or frozen Daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm, etc. are essential for the maintenance of good health.

Balitorids are often seen on sale in an emaciated state which can be difficult to correct. A good dealer will have done something about this prior to sale but if you decide to take a chance with severely weakened specimens they’ll initially require a continual, easily-obtainable source of suitable foods in the absence of competitors if they’re to recover.

Behaviour and Compatibility

Not an aggressive fish although its particular requirements limit the choice of suitable tankmates.

Species inhabiting similar environments include Barilius, Discherodontus, Garra, Devario, some Rasbora, gobies from genera such as Rhinogobius , Sicyopterus  and Stiphodon plus Glyptothorax, Akysis and Oreoglanis spp. catfishes.

Many loaches from the family Nemacheilidae and most from Balitoridae are also suitable although harmless squabbles may occur with the latter group in particular. Research your choices before purchase to be sure.

It’s found living in aggregations in nature so buy six or more to see it at its best as when kept singly, in pairs or trios it’s often less bold. The interaction between individuals is also interesting to watch.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexually mature females are usually a little larger and fuller-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Presumably a seasonal spawner in nature but nothing has been recorded in aquaria.

Notes

This species is often confused with the congener H. smithi.

Herre (1949) states that its live colour pattern is ‘whitish, with a brown stripe from the tip of the snout along the lateral line to the caudal base, 4 broad brown cross-bars over the back and down the sides, and a bar at the caudal base, the top of the head and snout blackish; the caudal and dorsal are more or less dusky.

According to Rainboth (1996) H. tweediei possesses: 33-37 lateral line scales; 4 simple and 10 branchedpectoral–fin rays; 4-5 scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal-fin origin; faint dorsal and lateralblotches with a dark stripe along the lateral line. Kottelat (2001) followed Alfred (1969) who gave defining characters as 32-36 +2 lateral line scales, 3-5 simple and 7-11 branched pectoral–fin rays.

Following Randall and Page (2012) it has: 2-3 dark bands on the caudal-fin (though in some specimens the lower lobe can be fully-pigmented thus obscuring the bands); 13 total pectoral-fin rays; pectoral-fin length shorter than head length;  scale count above and below line to pelvic-fin 4-5/3-4½; 34-37 pored lateral-line scales; absence of an axillary lobe; pelvic-fin not extending to or past anus; orbital length greater than interopercular width.

The genus Homalopteroides was itself 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.

It currently contains  H. wassinkii, H. modestus, H. nebulosus, H. rupicola, H. smithi, H. tweediei, H. stephensoni, H. indochinensis, H. weberi, H. yuwonoi and possibly H. manipurensis. These are all former members of Homaloptera, a polyphyletic grouping which is currently split into the putative subgenera Homaloptera, Balitoropsis and Homalopterula.

Homalopteroides spp.  are sometimes referred to as ‘lizard’ or ‘gecko’ loaches due to their behaviour and appearance. Like all balitorids they have morphology specialised for life in fast-flowing water, i.e., the paired fins are orientated and extended horizontally, head and body flattened, belly depressed.

These features form a powerful sucking cup which allows the fish to cling tightly to solid surfaces. The ability to swim in open water is greatly reduced and they instead appear to crawl and hop their way over rocks and other surfaces.

The family Balitoridae as recognised by Kottelat (2012) is widely-distributed across much of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China.

Trigonostigma hengeli 4cm EAU ACIDEBoraras Brigittae EAU ACIDE Kribensis Pseudomugil reticulatus 2,8cm Ce poisson endémique de l’Indonésie, Pseudomugil reticulatus a été décrite depuis un seul spécimen collecté à partir d’un cours d’eau de forêt tropicale, à environ 2 km à l’est du village de Ajamaru dans le milieu de la péninsule Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, en Indonésie. Pseudomugil reticulatus Autant dire que les informations sur Pseudomugil reticulatus sont faibles, et hormis que ce poisson apprécie les flux d’eau dans les forêts et dans des cours d’eau avec une végétation luxuriante, les exemples de maintenance sont rarissimes. La taille de l’espèce est assez standard dans le genre avec une donnée à 2,8 cm pour les mâles. Lire plus: http://www.aquaportail.com/fiche-poisson-2911-pseudomugil-reticulatus.html#ixzz2XXTqv2fC

Bumblebee Fish or Bumblebee Goby, synonym: Brachygobius xanthozona is freshwater ornamental fish derived from the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia.

‘Bumblebee Gobies’ will generally not accept flakes and live food is recommended, however frozen meaty food and freeze dried food may sometimes be taken. Start feeding them with live bloodworms, blackworms, bbs, etc and then gradually introduce frozen versions of such food. If the frozen worms or shrimp are seen to move in the current they will be taken. Then you can make such food the staple, but feed them live specimens at least once a week. Add plants, rocks, driftwood, etc. so territories can be staked. Addition of marine salt to the water to simulate low end brackish conditions is recommended.

Bumblebee Goby like seen in pictures is a very colorful and attractive fish that stays very small. Although it has been found and can be kept in freshwater, this fish does better in a brackish water set-up.

The Bumblebee Goby prefers a moderately low current especially in the bottom area of the tank where this fish resides. Live black worms and live brine shrimp are both relished.