Schistura sp. 7

Overview

Schistura sp. 7 is an unidentified nemacheilid loach from northeastern India, collected for aquaria in 2012 and possibly sold as green loach. That sales label does not establish a formal species name. Retain the provisional number and source history.

Distribution & habitat

The known collection area is the southern Garo Hills of Meghalaya, part of the Garo-Khasi mountain region. A precise river or village locality was not specified. Similar-looking loaches elsewhere in the region should not automatically be assigned to this record.

Aquarium setup

A stream-style arrangement is appropriate, combining different-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and smooth boulders. Add branches to create crevices, shaded retreats, and broken sightlines. Hardy attached plants suit the setting better than relying on ordinary stem plants rooted among the stones.

Torrent conditions are unnecessary, but provide good oxygenation and some circulation through filtration, pumps, or air stones as needed. Organic-waste accumulation may be poorly tolerated. Keep the water clean, with routine weekly changes of about 30–50%. Water movement and oxygen do not cancel the effects of accumulated waste.

Diet & feeding

Small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton are probable wild foods, alongside limited plant matter and debris. Aquarium fish accept appropriately sized dry foods, but these should not be the sole provision. Daily small live or frozen Daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms maintain dietary variety and condition.

Notes

Bars, tail-base markings, and mouth structure help evaluate nemacheilid identity, but broad characters of the genus are not a complete diagnosis of this unidentified fish. Preserve locality, provisional name, and breeding history instead of forcing an identification from similar coloration.