Black Lizard Loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri)

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Black Lizard Loach
Balitoropsis zollingeri
Black Lizard Loach (Balitoropsis zollingeri)
Name Black Lizard Loach
Name Lat. Balitoropsis zollingeri
Synonym Homaloptera zollingeri
Family River Loaches
Family lat. Balitoridae
Order Carps
Order lat. Cypriniformes
Origin Southeast Asia
Habitat Streams
Diet Limnivore
pH 6.0-7.5
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Group
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Egg scatterer
Breeding None reported
Life Span 5-8 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 10 cm
Temperature 20-26 °C
Hardness 1-12 °dH
Aquarium ~ 150 l
US Units
Size 4"
Temperature 68-79 °F
Hardness 18-214 ppm
Aquarium ~ 40 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Zollinger's Saddleback Loach is Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. They live in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich mountain streams and river headwaters, preferring shallow water, among rocks, boulders and round river pebbles densely covered with algae.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have robust planting, strong lighting, a substrate of sand and round-grained gravel, large rounded stones and roots (hiding places). They need oxygenated water and a very strong current.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They eat the plant cover (growth) of stones and wood and the microorganisms contained therein. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality sinking dry food (granules, tablets) as well as cyclops, daphnia or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as crushed peas, scalded spinach or algae leaves

Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are active and peaceful fish that prefer to live in groups. Socialization with other peaceful fish is possible without any problems. At least 5 Zollinger's Saddleback Loaches should be kept together. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The females are larger and more plump than the males.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

They have large pectoral and pelvic fins, which are formed as adhesive organs and with which they can attach themselves to stones in the fast-flowing waters. When changing location, they swim only short distances, fast and shallow over the bottom, to immediately suck themselves back in.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF