Family: Cyprinidae
Acheilognathus tonkinensis — a Cyprinidae from Red River basin, N Vietnam, gentle community fish that dislikes fin-nippers. Reaches 6.5–9.6 cm; shoaling; keep at least 8 together. 15–25 °C.
Acheilognathus tonkinensis, a member of the family Cyprinidae, comes from Red River basin, N Vietnam, where it inhabits clear streams and rivers over gravel. Gentle community fish that dislikes fin-nippers and unfussy omnivore; quality flakes plus blanched greens, it grows to 6.5–9.6 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 15–25 °C range. Other Acheilognathus species in our database include Acheilognathus barbatulus, Acheilognathus cyanostigma, Acheilognathus gracilis.
Difficulty: moderate. Gentle community fish that dislikes fin-nippers. Shoaling; keep at least 8 together.
Set the heater to 15–25 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.
Expect 6.5–9.6 cm as an adult, living active throughout the water column. A 111 L tank or larger gives it room.
Unfussy omnivore; quality flakes plus blanched greens. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Gentle community fish that dislikes fin-nippers. Recommended tankmates: White-cloud mountain minnows — Share its calm, cool temperament. Avoid Large or boisterous fish — Outcompeted at feeding time.
Its home waters are Red River basin, N Vietnam — clear streams and rivers over gravel, with moderate, well-oxygenated current.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
Mussel-brooding egg-scatterer; the male guards the mussel territory. Males often slimmer and more colourful.