🐟 General Overview

• Common Names: Zebra Borneo Loach, Zebra Hillstream Loach, Zebra Sucker Loach

• Scientific Name: Gastromyzon scitulus (or closely related Gastromyzon ocellatus / Gastromyzon zebrinus)

• Family: Balitoridae

• Origin: Streams and rivers of Borneo, Southeast Asia

• Type: Freshwater, bottom-dwelling hillstream fish

• Temperament: Peaceful, best kept in small groups

🌊 Natural Habitat

• Inhabits fast-flowing mountain streams with rocky beds.

• Water is cool, clear, and highly oxygenated with abundant algae and biofilm.

• The fish’s flattened body and sucker-like fins allow it to cling to rocks and resist strong currents.

📏 Size and Lifespan

• Adult Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 5–8 years with excellent care

🏡 Aquarium Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a small group

• Tank Shape: Long tank preferred (provides more swimming area and flow)

• Water Flow: Strong, with powerheads or high-flow filters

• Substrate: Smooth pebbles, river stones, and driftwood

• Lighting: Moderate to bright — helps algae and biofilm grow naturally

• Tank Cover: Tight-fitting lid — good climbers

💧 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 5–12 dGH

• Oxygen: Very high; add air stones or ensure surface agitation

🍽️ Diet

• Primary Diet: Algae, biofilm, and microorganisms on surfaces

• Supplementary Foods:

  • Algae wafers and spirulina pellets

  • Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber)

  • Frozen or live foods (brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia)

• Allow natural algae to grow on rocks and glass — essential for grazing behavior.

🤝 Behavior and Tankmates

• Very peaceful, shy, and active mostly on surfaces with flow.

• Best kept in groups of 3–6 — they display natural social behavior.

• Compatible with:

  • Small, peaceful fish (rasboras, danios, white clouds)

  • Shrimp and snails (if current is suitable)

• Avoid aggressive or large tankmates.

🌿 Breeding

• Rare in captivity.

• In nature, breeding occurs in high-flow zones with eggs deposited in rock crevices.

• Replicating the cool, oxygen-rich, fast-flowing conditions may trigger spawning but is challenging at home.

⚕️ Care Tips & Health

• Extremely sensitive to poor water quality or low oxygen.

• Perform weekly water changes (30–50%) and ensure strong filtration.

• Avoid high temperatures and copper-based medications.

• Provide algae surfaces to prevent malnutrition.

• Observe for stress signs like faded colors or gasping.

🧠 Interesting Facts

• Named “Zebra” for its beautiful horizontal black-and-white stripes.

• Their modified fins let them “walk” or glide across glass and rocks in fast water.

• Often seen clinging to filter outlets or glass walls in high-flow zones.

• A perfect species for river tank setups that replicate natural stream environments.