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Gray's stone loach (Balitora brucei) — Balitoridae

Gray's stone loach

Balitora brucei
Family: Balitoridae

The Gray's stone loach (Balitora brucei) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, India, Nepal and others

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Description

Gray's stone loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from clear, fast-flowing mountain waters of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a flattened, streamlined body with broadened, horizontal pectoral and pelvic fins with which it clings like a sucker to stones in the strong current. As a bottom-dweller it rasps aufwuchs, algae and small invertebrates from the stones. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gray's stone loach?

The Gray's stone loach has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Gray's stone loach live?

The Gray's stone loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, India, Nepal and others

How big does the Gray's stone loach get?

The Gray's stone loach grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Gray's stone loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Gray's stone loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Gray's stone loach (Balitora brucei) — Balitoridae — 2
Photo Unit (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Gray's stone loach (Balitora brucei) — Balitoridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Francis Day and R. Mintern (Public domain)
Gray's stone loach (Balitora brucei) — Balitoridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Siddarth Machado, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Gray's stone loach sourced
Scientific name
Balitora brucei
Family
Balitoridae
Other names
Rock carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, India, Nepal and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Balitora

More from the family Balitoridae

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