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Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) — Balitoridae

Hanitsch's loach

Glaniopsis hanitschi
Family: Balitoridae

The Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

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Description

The Hanitsch's loach is a hillstream loach (Balitoridae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, flattened, brown-mottled body with broad, horizontally spread pectoral and pelvic fins with which it clamps to stones like a sucker in wild current. With its inferior mouth it rasps algal film and biofilm from rocks. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hanitsch's loach?

The Hanitsch's loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Hanitsch's loach live?

The Hanitsch's loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

How big does the Hanitsch's loach get?

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

Is the Hanitsch's loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Hanitsch's 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

Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) — Balitoridae — 2
Photo Unit (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) — Balitoridae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) — Balitoridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) blackdogto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hanitsch's loach (Glaniopsis hanitschi) — Balitoridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Moses J. Michelsohn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Hanitsch's loach sourced
Scientific name
Glaniopsis hanitschi
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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

Same genus Glaniopsis

More from the family Balitoridae

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