Hillstream loach | |
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Hemimyzon nanensis | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Family: | Balitoridae Swainson, 1839 |
Genera [1] | |
The hillstream loaches or river loaches are a family, the Balitoridae, [1] of small fish from South, Southeast and East Asia. The family includes about 202 species. They are sometimes sold as "lizardfish" or (in Germany) "flossensaugers". Many of the species are popular for aquaria, species in the genus Sewellia are most commonly sold in the aquaria trade. They have a number of similarities with the Cobitidae, their sibling family of "loaches", such as multiple barbels around the mouth. They should not be confused with the loricariids, which look similar but are a family of catfish.
Most species are rheophilic, living in swift, clear and well-oxygenated streams. Several species of the family live in fast-flowing streams or torrents and have modified ventral fins used for clinging to rocks. [4]
The subfamily Nemacheilinae has recently been separated as a distinct family, Nemacheilidae (stone loaches) and several genera have been separated into the family Gastromyzontidae. [1]
Cypriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches, and relatives. Cypriniformes is an Order within the Superorder Ostariophysi consisting of "Carp-like" Ostariophysins. This order contains 11-12 families, although some authorities have designated as many as 23, over 400 genera, and more than 4,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized frequently. They are most diverse in southeastern Asia, and are entirely absent from Australia and South America. At 112 years old, the longest-lived cypriniform fish documented is the bigmouth buffalo.
Cobitidae, also known as the True loaches, is a family of Old World freshwater fish. They occur throughout Eurasia and in Morocco, and inhabit riverine ecosystems. Today, most "loaches" are placed in other families. The family includes about 260 described species. New species are being described regularly.
Homaloptera is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Balitoridae.
Loaches are fish of the superfamily Cobitoidea. They are freshwater, benthic (bottom-dwelling) fish found in rivers and creeks throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. Loaches are among the most diverse groups of fish; the 1249 known species of Cobitoidea comprise about 107 genera divided among 9 families.
Sewellia is a genus of fish in the family Gastromyzontidae. They are commonly called hillstream loaches and are found in Laos and Vietnam. According to Roberts (1998) a possible defining characteristic of the genus Sewellia is their posterior pelvic valve is highly complex and different from other rheophilic loaches, their posterior pelvic valve involves the overlapping of the second to last ventrally exposed rays. Adapted to high velocity streams, Sewellia have depressed body shapes that are laterally expanded, thus increasing their hydrodynamical properties and allowing them to better stay attached to rocks in swift current. Sewellia also have paired fins with a single simple ray and numerous branched rays allowing them to grip rocks in swift current.
Balitoropsis also known as the lizard loaches is a genus of hillstream loaches native to eastern Asia.
The Gastromyzontidae are a family of loaches native to China and Southeast Asia, where typically found in streams and rivers with a fast current. The family includes about 137 species in eighteen genera. This family was resurrected by M. Kottelat in his review and revision of the loaches in 2012. They are commonly called hillstream loaches.
Homalopteroides is a genus of hillstream loaches native to Southeast Asia.
Ghatsa is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Balitoridae. This genus is created for species previously assigned to Homaloptera from the Western Ghats of India.
Pseudohomaloptera tatereganii is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae.
Pseudohomaloptera is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Balitoridae.
Ghatsa silasi is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Ghatsa. It can be found in the Kattamadithode stream, connected with Periyar River in Periyar Tiger Reserve at Chokkanpetty in Kerala, India.
Homalopteroides stephensoni is a species of the genus Homalopteroides in the family Balitoridae. It can be found in the Kapuas and Mahakam rivers in Borneo.
Homalopteroides weberi is a species of the genus Homalopteroides in the family Balitoridae. It is found in west Borneo.
Homalopteroides yuwonoi is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Homalopteroides.
Pseudohomaloptera batek is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae.
Pseudohomaloptera leonardi is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae. It lives in South East Asia.
Pseudohomaloptera sexmaculata is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae.
Pseudohomaloptera vulgaris is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae.
Pseudohomaloptera yunnanensis is a fish species of the genus Pseudohomaloptera in the family Balitoridae.