Batasio feruminatus

Overview

The combination of a slanting dark mark before the dorsal fin and a fine black flank stripe helps identify Batasio feruminatus. This small stream catfish requires a deliberately maintained flowing-water aquarium, rather than an arbitrary general community.

Distribution & habitat

The type stream lies in the Ataran system of Kayin State, southern Myanmar, and the species may be confined to that drainage. Some tributaries extend into Thailand, which alone does not verify fish occurrence there. Forest-shaded reaches contain clear water over sand and rock, with wood and leaves. The genus is associated with shallow, oxygen-rich headwaters.

Aquarium setup

Use mixed stones, gravel, and worn boulders, adding roots and hardy attached plants for structure. Organic waste accumulation is likely to be poorly tolerated. Combine effective filtration with circulation to maintain clean, well-oxygenated water, and change 30–50% weekly.

Diet & feeding

Its probable natural prey includes small crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae. Offer small live or frozen bloodworms, Tubifex, Artemia, and mosquito larvae. Prepared sinking foods have also worked, although newly imported wild fish may reject them at first.

Behaviour & compatibility

Members of the genus are weak competitors, so avoid much larger or aggressive companions. Peaceful shoaling cyprinids and suitable small stream catfish or hillstream loaches are possibilities. Assess other loaches individually because adult size and territorial behavior vary considerably.

Breeding

Related species offer a possible experimental approach: once adults appear ready, one or more large changes with cooler water may encourage spawning. Those relatives scattered eggs that hatched after about two days. These observations do not constitute a confirmed breeding record for this species.