特氏平鳍鳅

Overview

Compared with many relatives, Homalopteroides tweediei favors moderately flowing patches among living or dead vegetation. It is often confused with H. smithi, making a generic small lizard-loach appearance insufficient for identification.

Distribution & habitat

Records cover the Malay Peninsula, parts of the Mekong basin, and West Kalimantan in Borneo. It uses clear oxygen-rich streams, often among submerged grasses, algae, or plant debris over sand rather than consistently occupying the fastest riffles.

Aquarium setup

A 45 by 30 cm footprint is the long-term reference. Combine sand or gravel, rounded stones, wood, and hardy plants, including sheltered vegetated patches. Effective filtration and aeration should support the suggested turnover of 10–15 tank volumes per hour while the layout provides variation in local flow. Introduce fish only to mature, stable water.

Diet & feeding

Genus-level accounts emphasize small crustaceans, insect larvae, and other invertebrates. Offer regular live or frozen prey, with sinking dry food only as an accepted supplement. Emaciated arrivals need easily reached meals and relief from competition.

Behaviour & compatibility

It is not aggressive, though similar loaches can have minor disputes. Companions need compatible environmental requirements. Groups of six or more encourage confidence compared with isolated fish or pairs and trios.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are generally slightly larger and fuller-bodied.

Notes

A lateral stripe and dorsal bars contribute to identification. The tail often has two or three dark bands, though dense lower-lobe pigment can hide them. Shorter pectoral proportions and other features should be assessed together rather than relying on band count alone.