TankBud

Zebra Borneo sucker

Gastromyzon zebrinus

Also known as Sambas Borneo sucker, Striped Borneo sucker

FreshwaterFish

Zebra Borneo sucker (Gastromyzon zebrinus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.9 in
7.3 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Gastromyzontidae
Origin
Upper Sambas basin, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

Overview

The zebra Borneo sucker is a hillstream sucker that lives clamped to rock in fast water. It suits a mature, fast-flowing tank and is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Borneo suckers come in many patterns across different rivers, whether spotted, marbled or plain. The zebra Borneo sucker, from the Sambas, wears bold zebra bars, one drainage's own take on the family look.

Caring for the zebra Borneo sucker

Give zebra Borneo suckers a mature tank of 24 gal (90 L) or more. Line the bottom with smooth stones, left to grow a natural film of algae under strong light. Plants matter far less than strong flow, high oxygen and clean water. Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

The zebra Borneo sucker grazes the bottom all day. Its survival depends above all on a mature, living film of algae and biofilm. Occasional frozen meaty foods are fine, but too much protein harms it.

It is a peaceful, social fish, best kept in a small group of at least three or four. It mixes well with other calm current lovers, such as small rasboras, danios, gobies and fellow hillstream loaches. It is not known to have bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

The zebra Borneo sucker is a hillstream loach in the family Gastromyzontidae. Its fused, wing-like fins clamp its flat body to rock and let it hold position and graze in fierce current. The name refers to the crisp pale bars over a dark ground that give it a zebra pattern. It is also known as the Sambas Borneo sucker and the striped Borneo sucker.

In the wild

Gastromyzon zebrinus is known only from the upper Sambas basin in West Kalimantan, on Indonesian Borneo. It lives in swift, shallow streams saturated with oxygen, among riffles and cascades.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The zebra Borneo sucker is a 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 zebra Borneo sucker need?

A zebra Borneo sucker needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a zebra Borneo sucker need?

A zebra Borneo sucker is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a zebra Borneo sucker eat?

A zebra Borneo sucker grazes a living film of algae and biofilm all day and needs it to survive. Occasional frozen meaty foods are fine, but too much protein harms it.

How big does a zebra Borneo sucker get?

An adult zebra Borneo sucker reaches about 2.9 in (7.3 cm).

Related species