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Burmese hillstream loach (Balitora burmanica) — Balitoridae

Burmese hillstream loach

Balitora burmanica
Family: Balitoridae

The Burmese hillstream loach (Balitora burmanica) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Burmese hillstream loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, flattened body with broad pectoral and pelvic fins with which it presses to stones against the current, and small barbels. As a bottom-dweller it lives among gravel and rocks of oxygen-rich streams and rasps algae and biofilm and snaps at insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Burmese hillstream loach?

The Burmese hillstream loach has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Burmese hillstream loach live?

The Burmese hillstream loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Burmese hillstream loach get?

The Burmese hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Burmese hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Burmese hillstream loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Birmaanse bergbeekloach sourced
English name
Burmese hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Balitora burmanica
Family
Balitoridae
Other names
Burmese stone loach sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock 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

Same genus Balitora

More from the family Balitoridae

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