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Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) — Balitoridae

Zollinger's hillstream loach

Balitoropsis zollingeri
Family: Balitoridae

The Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) 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
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand

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Description

Zollinger's hillstream loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from clear, fast-flowing mountain waters of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 10 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 Zollinger's hillstream loach?

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

Where does the Zollinger's hillstream loach live?

The Zollinger's hillstream loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand

How big does the Zollinger's hillstream loach get?

The Zollinger's hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Zollinger's hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Zollinger's 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

Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) — Balitoridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jiayuan Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) — Balitoridae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) — Balitoridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ชัยณรงค์ ขุนภักดี, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Zollinger's hillstream loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri) — Balitoridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) MOHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN SABRI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Zollinger's hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Balitoropsis zollingeri
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-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: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, 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

More from the family Balitoridae

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