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Fang's hillstream loach (Pseudogastromyzon fangi) — Balitoridae

Fang's hillstream loach

Pseudogastromyzon fangi
Family: Balitoridae

The Fang's hillstream loach (Pseudogastromyzon fangi) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

Fang's hillstream loach is a hillstream loach (Gastromyzontidae) from fast-flowing, clear mountain streams of southern China in East Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a strongly flattened, broad body whose pectoral and pelvic fins are merged into a sucker disc with which it clings to bare rocks in strong current. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae and biofilm from stones and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fang's hillstream loach?

The Fang's hillstream loach has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Fang's hillstream loach live?

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

How big does the Fang's hillstream loach get?

The Fang's hillstream loach grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Fang's hillstream loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Fang's hillstream loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fangs bergbeekkruiper sourced
English name
Fang's hillstream loach sourced
Scientific name
Pseudogastromyzon fangi
Family
Balitoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
5.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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 Pseudogastromyzon

More from the family Balitoridae

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