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Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) — Balitoridae

Marbled hillstream loach

Homaloptera parclitella
Family: Balitoridae

The Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Malaysia, Thailand

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Description

The marbled hillstream loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from fast-flowing mountain streams of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, marbled body with broad, horizontally spread pectoral and pelvic fins with which it presses to rocks in strong current. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae and growth and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled hillstream loach?

The Marbled hillstream loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Marbled hillstream loach live?

The Marbled hillstream loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Malaysia, Thailand

How big does the Marbled hillstream loach get?

The Marbled hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Marbled hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled hillstream 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

Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) — Balitoridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) MOHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN SABRI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) — Balitoridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) — Balitoridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Cheongweei Gan (CC BY 4.0)
Marbled hillstream loach (Homaloptera parclitella) — Balitoridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) ok alright, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Marbled hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Homaloptera parclitella
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Malaysia, Thailand 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 Homaloptera

More from the family Balitoridae

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