Ornate-tail Borneo sucker

Gastromyzon ornaticauda

Also known as Fancy-tail Borneo sucker, Blue tail Borneo loach, Ornate Borneo sucker loach

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–77°F (20–25°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 3.3 in (8.4 cm)
Minimum tank: 24 gal (90 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Common
Origin: Kuamut River, Sabah, Malaysia
Family: Gastromyzontidae

Overview

A robust, peaceful Borneo sucker and the one most often seen in shops, so a fair introduction to the group for a keeper with a proper river tank. It holds larger grazing territories than the smallest species, so give a group of five or six plenty of spread-out stone to divide up. It grazes biofilm steadily and should also get algae-based sinking foods plus a little fine meaty sinking food to keep condition. Keep it with small, calm fish that enjoy the same brisk current. A tank of around 90 liters with a broad, rocky floor suits a group and its need for personal grazing space.

In the wild

Gastromyzon ornaticauda is known from the Kuamut River in Sabah, northern Borneo, where it lives on current-swept stone in warm, clear, fast water. Recreate that with 20 to 25 C, strong flow, and high oxygen from vigorous surface movement. Use smooth boulders and cobbles that can grow algae, a base of sand and gravel, and keep the pH mildly acidic to neutral at 6.5 to 7.5.

Good to know

A member of the hillstream loach family Gastromyzontidae, Gastromyzon ornaticauda reaches about 8.4 centimeters. Tan and Martin-Smith described it in 1998, and the name means ornate tail, for the boldly banded, patterned caudal fin that sets it apart from its plainer relatives. No captive spawning has been reported for it.

Did you know

On a fish that spends its day clamped motionless to rock in fast water, the patterned tail is often the only part that moves, flicking and repositioning like a small banded flag.

Tank mates

Ornate-tail Borneo sucker is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.