Spotted Borneo Sucker (Gastromyzon punctulatus)

Family: Balitoridae

Spotted Borneo Sucker — a Balitoridae from Borneo, peaceful grazer; squabbles are brief pushes. Reaches 4.9–7.2 cm; loosely social; crowding causes endless pushing. 23–25 °C.

Care parameters

Water temperature
23–25 °C
pH
6.5–7.5
GH hardness
5–15 dGH
Adult length
4.9–7.2 cm
Minimum tank
62 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful grazer; squabbles are brief pushes
Origin
Borneo

Species overview

A Balitoridae species native to Borneo: Gastromyzon punctulatus lives bottom-dwelling over fast-flowing mountain streams, clinging to rocks. Peaceful grazer; squabbles are brief pushes. Adults reach 4.9–7.2 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Gastromyzon species we profile, alongside Gastromyzon ctenocephalus, Gastromyzon farragus, Gastromyzon scitulus.

Native biotope

Habitat
Fast-flowing mountain streams, clinging to rocks
Flow
Very strong, highly oxygenated current
Dissolved O₂
Requires very high dissolved oxygen

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate
Bare rock and coarse gravel
Hardscape
Large smooth boulders
Plants
Minimal; algae-covered stones instead

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling
Loosely social; crowding causes endless pushing
Diet
Algae and biofilm specialist; supplement with wafers
Recommended tankmates
  • Other cool-water stream fish — Share the need for oxygen and flow
Avoid keeping with
  • Large aggressive cichlids — Disrupt the calm grazing regime

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism
Difficult to distinguish
Breeding method
Breeding rarely reported in aquaria; presumed egg-scatterer

Frequently asked questions

Is Spotted Borneo Sucker easy to keep?

Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful grazer; squabbles are brief pushes. Loosely social; crowding causes endless pushing.

What temperature and water chemistry does Spotted Borneo Sucker need?

Set the heater to 23–25 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.

How big does Spotted Borneo Sucker get, and what tank size?

Adults reach 4.9–7.2 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 62 litres.

What does Spotted Borneo Sucker eat?

Algae and biofilm specialist; supplement with wafers. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.

Can Spotted Borneo Sucker live with other fish?

Peaceful grazer; squabbles are brief pushes. Recommended tankmates: Other cool-water stream fish — Share the need for oxygen and flow. Avoid Large aggressive cichlids — Disrupt the calm grazing regime.

Where does Spotted Borneo Sucker come from?

Native to Borneo, where it lives in fast-flowing mountain streams, clinging to rocks. Very strong, highly oxygenated current; Requires very high dissolved oxygen.

How does Spotted Borneo Sucker breed?

In the aquarium: breeding rarely reported in aquaria; presumed egg-scatterer. Difficult to distinguish.