Family: Balitoridae
The largest of China's peaceful algivore hillstream loaches, a balitoridae that demands cool, fast, well-oxygenated water — moderate care.
Vanmanenia pingchowensis of the family Balitoridae is an aquarium-kept Balitoridae. Peaceful and algivore; quality prepared foods with variety, it grows to 9.7–13.9 cm and prefers 18–26 °C water. Other Vanmanenia species in our database include Vanmanenia stenosoma, Vanmanenia gymnetrus, Vanmanenia intermedia.
Intermediate difficulty. Peaceful; solitary, pairs or small groups.
Hold 18–26 °C and keep it stable — community-standard range; verify locally. Standard heater to hold the mid-range steadily.
Full size is 9.7–13.9 cm. Minimum tank: 139 L, with open swimming space along its bottom; rests and forages low habits.
Algivore; quality prepared foods with variety. It forages naturally over smooth gravel and sand with open floor space, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful; solitary, pairs or small groups. Good company: Amur False Gudgeon — Similar size and water needs, China-Bitterling — Similar size and water needs, Acanthorhodeus chankaensis — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Large aggressive cichlids — Bullying and injury risk, Known fin nippers — Constant stress and fin damage.
Comes from 东亚淡水水系: clear streams, rivers and still waters. Expect strong current with heavy aeration and demands high dissolved oxygen.
Spawning; condition with rich foods and simulate seasonal changes. Males are typically slimmer and more intensely colored; females fuller-bodied.