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Freckled lizard loach

Formosania stigmata

Also known as Spotted Formosania, Chinese giraffe loach

FreshwaterFish

Freckled lizard loach (Formosania stigmata)

Care at a glance

Temperature
61–75°F
16–24°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
25 gal
95 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Gastromyzontidae
Origin
Southeastern China

Overview

The freckled lizard loach is a slim, restless bottom fish that patrols the current rather than sitting still. It is difficult to keep and suits experienced keepers only.

Did you know

The freckled lizard loach's species name, stigmata, sounds dramatic but means nothing mystical. In Latin it just means marks or brands, and here it refers to the plain dark freckles dotting its skin.

Caring for the freckled lizard loach

Give a group of freckled lizard loaches a tank of 25 gal (95 L) or more, long and open along the front. That lets them use the current as a running lane. Run strong, oxygen-rich flow over smooth stones they can graze and rest on, above a sand or fine gravel base.

Keep the water cool, at 61 to 75°F (16 to 24°C), and treat summer warmth as the main hazard. Hold the pH around 6.5 to 7.5.

It feeds mainly by rasping biofilm and algae from stone. Round out the diet with fine sinking foods and small frozen items.

The freckled lizard loach wants a group of five or six for company. It is mostly peaceful, and males do little more than nudge each other away from grazing patches. Give it calm, cool-water companions that can cope with strong flow. How and when it spawns remain undocumented.

Good to know

Formosania stigmata is an elongate hillstream loach in the family Gastromyzontidae, and a relative of Chen's lizard loach. Like others in its genus, it bridges the slim lizard-loach shape and the flatter body plan of the suckers.

In the wild

The freckled lizard loach lives in swift subtropical streams of southeastern China. The streams run cold and fast for much of the year, and clear over rock.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The freckled lizard loach is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a freckled lizard loach need?

A freckled lizard loach needs at least 25 gal (95 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a freckled lizard loach need?

A freckled lizard loach is comfortable at 61–75°F (16–24°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a freckled lizard loach eat?

A freckled lizard loach feeds mainly by rasping biofilm and algae from stone. Round out its diet with fine sinking foods and small frozen items.

How big does a freckled lizard loach get?

An adult freckled lizard loach reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Related species