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Dwarf hillstream loach (Neohomaloptera johorensis) — Balitoridae

Dwarf hillstream loach

Neohomaloptera johorensis
Family: Balitoridae

The Dwarf hillstream loach (Neohomaloptera johorensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf hillstream loach is one of the smallest hillstream loaches (Balitoridae), from fast-flowing streams of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has a flattened, brownish body with horizontally spread pectoral and pelvic fins with which it presses to rocks in the current. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae and growth and snaps at minute invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf hillstream loach?

The Dwarf hillstream loach has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Dwarf hillstream loach live?

The Dwarf hillstream loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dwarf hillstream loach get?

The Dwarf hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Dwarf hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf hillstream loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-bekkruiper sourced
English name
Dwarf hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Neohomaloptera johorensis
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Balitoridae

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