Order Cypriniformes ( Cypriniformes )
Family Balitoridae ( Balitoridae )
Subfamily Balitorinae ( Balitorinae )
Continued…
Genus Neogastromyzon — Neogastromyzon.
— Neogastromyzon crassiobex — Neogastromyzon crassiobex [Tan, 2006]. Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo. Small fish living in fast mountain streams. 5 cm. The body is very flat, pectoral and pelvic fins form a wide sucker. The body color is dark brown, the back has 7 light elongated spots, similar small spots are scattered on the head.
The pectoral fins are separated from the pelvic fins by a significant gap, but lateral skin flaps develop between the bases of the pectoral and pelvic fins, turning the entire ventral surface into a large sucker. With this sucker, the fish holds onto stones in a fast current, moving from one stone to another in dashes.
A spacious aquarium with a large number of shelters, coconut halves, boulders and driftwood, dense vegetation is required. The substrate must be soft and fine to avoid injuries, as the fish have very delicate skin on the belly. They move in short dashes from stone to stone. Lighting should be bright to encourage algal growth in the aquarium. Fresh, frequently changed water, free of nitrites and nitrates, maximally saturated with oxygen is needed. Loves strong water circulation and aeration. Water is soft and slightly acidic.
The basis of nutrition should be abundant algal fouling on all smooth surfaces of the aquarium. Food is live, vegetable, dry foods with a high spirulina content. Scalded cabbage, lettuce, and spinach leaves are suitable as supplementary feeding. On animal food, they quickly get fat and die. Scales on the head and belly are absent, which explains their special sensitivity to medications. They live up to 3 years. pH 7.0-8.0; T 21-26°C.
Genus Protomyzon — Protomyzon.
— Panda Loach — Protomyzon pachychilus [Chen, 1980]. Synonym: Yaoshania pachychilus. (English: Panda Loach, Panda Goby). Southern China. 6 cm. Velvet black stripes and snow-white body of young P. pachychilus resemble the coloring of a panda from China. Juveniles have black spots on a creamy-white body, adults have a brownish-cream body color.
With age, the four black stripes fade and begin to break up into several thin stripes and spots. In addition, 2-3 dark lines will run along the entire length of the fish, one along the dorsal surface, another in the middle of the body, and a third lower down. Therefore, only young fish are available for sale.
Bottom-dwelling fish. Peaceful fish and should be kept in a group of 5 or more individuals; its ecological requirements somewhat limit the choice of suitable tank mates. Tank mates should be of similar size and temperament, and also from fast-flowing, cool water. An aquarium with plenty of hiding places, boulders, smooth stones, and driftwood, dense vegetation, and a sand substrate is necessary. Use broad-leaved plants that will create resting places.
Unlike many of their relatives, these small fish are not timid and are not prone to hiding; they may retreat into a shelter, but as soon as food is offered, they appear immediately. Lighting should be bright to promote algae growth in the aquarium. Wild-caught fish from nature must be kept in soft water and carefully acclimatized for several weeks, doing regular water changes and getting them used to local water. The aquarium must have a well-established biological balance.
Loves strong circulation and aeration; a high oxygen content in the water is vital. Most importantly, the water must be clean, regular water changes are needed. During hot summer months, high temperatures must be avoided. Food should be offered in small sizes. Exclusively herbivorous, their main food is plant-based, they gladly eat flakes, tablets, and scalded lettuce greens. Internal problems may occur if the diet contains too much protein. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 20°; T 20-24°C.
Genus Sinogastromyzon — Sinogastromyzon.
— Sinogastromyzon wui — Sinogastromyzon wui [Fang, 1930]. Synonym: Sinogastromyzon intermedius, sanhoensis. (English: Butterfly Hillstream Loach, Chinese Butterfly Loach). China, Xi Jiang river basin. Inhabit high-altitude rivers with very fast currents, cool clear water, and very high oxygen content. 9-11 cm. Pectoral and pelvic fins form a wide sucker. There are several color variations. Golden-colored specimens often arrive, but the usual color of the fish is warm brown. Regular dark spots are present on the dorsal surface of the body.
An aquarium with plenty of hiding places, boulders and driftwood, dense vegetation is required. Substrate made of gravel and sand (or a mixture), flat stones and boulders placed in a pile on it, add driftwood or tree branches. Non-aggressive fish, should be kept in a group of 4 or more individuals. Timid, hide when approached. Should not be kept with aggressive species.
Light should be bright so that stones become covered with algae. Stable water conditions are mandatory for their well-being; they cannot be introduced into biologically immature aquariums. Fish are cold-water; when the temperature rises, it is necessary to increase aeration and water circulation intensity. Love strong water circulation and aeration. Poorly tolerate organic water pollution as well as fine mechanical suspension.
Regular water changes are needed. Water is soft and slightly acidic. Being caught in the wild, fish need a fairly long acclimatization and adjustment to captivity. How quickly a fish can fully adapt in the aquarium after purchase completely depends on its age and size, how long ago it was caught, and how long it has already managed to live in temporary aquariums.
Young specimens adapt faster and easier. Fish caught and imported recently can take a very long time (up to 2-3 months) to get used to food, completely ignoring any offered food. In the aquarium, they are mainly fed bloodworms and Artemia, pellets can be used. This fish eats algae much less than most other similar loaches. pH 6.5-7.5; dH 5-15°; T 20-24°C.
Identification: Sinogastromyzon wui — Sinogastromyzon wui.
— Sinogastromyzon tonkinensis — Sinogastromyzon tonkinensis [Pellegrin & Chevey, 1935]. Vietnam, China. 5 cm. Body light brown, irregular dark brown spots on the head, partially interconnected, small growths are present in males. Back with 6-8 irregularly structured dark brown spots. Unpaired fins yellow-beige, pectoral fins with 7-12 dark brown unevenly distributed flecks. Caudal fin emarginate, with 2 wide dark bands on transparent fields. Easily confused with S. lixianjiangensis and S. multiocellum.
Description of the genus Beaufortia, Beaufortia kweichowensis.
Genus Balitora, Genus Erromyzon, Genus Glaniopsis, Genus Liniparhomaloptera. 
