Lepidocephalus macrochir

Summary

Scientific name: Lepidocephalus macrochir (Bleeker, 1854)

Common name: None.

Synonyms: Lepidocephalichthys pallens, Lepidocephalus pallens, Cobitis macrochir

Distribution: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia

Sexual Dimorphism: None known

Maximum size: 3.5 Inches (9cm)

Similar to: Can be mistaken as a Pangio oblonga.

Care: A peaceful loach that likes lots of hiding places with a soft sand substrate.

The aquarium should feature good filtration with some water movement.

Feeding: Easily fed. Accepts good quality flake, sinking pellets, thawed frozen mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, daphnia etc.

Water parameters: pH:6.5 -7.5 Hardness: Medium Soft to Medium Max dh range:5

Temperature: 72ºF to 80ºF (22-27°C)

Breeding: None reported in aquarium

Notes

Lepidocephalus macrochir is peaceful and a good aquarium fish, but seldom exported for the aquarium trade.

This species is a very active burrower to the point where many owners only see their face/eyes beneath the sand substrate, which should be used to protect their delicate skin. Also found in mountain streams with higher flow over gravel and rock. Best kept in groups. Three fish is the recommended minimum that should be kept together. At times they like each other's company when sheltering under plants and bog-wood, but sometimes prefer to be left alone while they burrow under the substrate.

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