Family: Balitoridae
Vanmanenia caldwelli — a Balitoridae from China. Reaches 5.4–7.9 cm; keep at 18–26 °C.
Vanmanenia caldwelli is a Balitoridae from China. In the wild it prefers fast-flowing mountain streams, clinging to rocks; in the aquarium it stays peaceful. Plan on 5.4–7.9 cm of adult fish at 18–26 °C. Related profiles: Vanmanenia pingchowensis, Vanmanenia stenosoma, Vanmanenia gymnetrus.
Intermediate difficulty. Peaceful; territorial over a favourite perch; keep in a small group with enough perches.
Hold 18–26 °C and keep it stable — 18–26 °C typical for the genus. Cool, highly oxygenated water.
Expect 5.4–7.9 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 75 L tank or larger gives it room.
Herbivorous grazer; algae and spirina foods. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Yes, with care. Peaceful; territorial over a favourite perch — pair it with Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs and skip Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Native to China, where it lives in fast-flowing mountain streams, clinging to rocks. Very strong, highly oxygenated current; Requires very high dissolved oxygen.
In the aquarium: not bred in home aquaria. Difficult to distinguish.