背纹似鳞头鳅

Overview

A small soft-bottom loach, Lepidocephalichthys tomaculum has a reddish-brown body crossed by fine dark dorsal bars. It occasionally arrives as bycatch, and identification can be difficult where it occurs alongside L. hasselti.

Distribution & habitat

Records span several states of Peninsular Malaysia, while a Lampung collection from Sumatra was assigned only tentatively. Quiet streams, swamps, oxbows, and backwaters have mud, silt, or peat beneath plants and woody debris. A documented peat-forest site held shaded blackwater and submerged vegetation.

Aquarium setup

Provide at least a 45 by 30 cm footprint and fine sand for burial. Install stable rocks and wood before the sand, then add subdued lighting, leaf litter, and retreats. Coarse gravel can impair feeding or injure the fish. Oxygenation remains useful, but strong flow is inappropriate; screen intakes and fit a secure lid.

Diet & feeding

It filters small animal prey from mouthfuls of substrate. Sinking dry foods can form part of the aquarium diet, supplemented regularly with small live or frozen invertebrates.

Behaviour & compatibility

Genus-level recommendations favor groups of four or more. Peaceful upper-water companions from similar habitats may encourage more confident activity. Other bottom-dwellers need careful selection to avoid territorial or aggressive competitors; eggs and fry may be eaten.

Sexual dimorphism

Males develop enlarged pectorals with fused inner rays, forming a small upward projection in larger individuals. Females are typically larger and deeper-bodied.

Notes

Fine dorsal bars, a truncate tail with reticulated markings, and a relatively deep caudal peduncle should be assessed together. A scaleless patch on the crown is not whole-body scalelessness. Handle carefully because subocular spines can snag nets.