Gray's Stone Loach
Balitora brucei
Also known as: Gray's stone loach, Rock carp
A flattened hill-stream grazer that thrives where the current runs wild.
About
Found in the fast-moving hill streams of the eastern Himalayas and surrounding foothills, Balitora brucei is a small, dorsoventrally flattened stream loach native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Like other members of its family, it has evolved a body shape built for life in high-gradient waterways, hugging the substrate in conditions where most fish would be swept away. In the wild it tends to seek out calmer pockets within those turbulent environments. Backwater areas and quiet eddies where it can graze on algae and biofilm without fighting the full force of the current. In the aquarium that translates to a setup with good water movement and oxygenation, smooth or rounded substrate, and plenty of flat rocks for resting and grazing. A tank that mimics a rocky stream bed suits it well. This species grows to just over four inches at most, making it manageable in a moderately sized setup. It falls into the intermediate care category mainly because of its preference for specific water conditions and its need for a well-maintained, oxygen-rich environment rather than any particular aggression or feeding difficulty. Given the right conditions, it is a rewarding and unusual addition to a hillstream biotope.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Gray's Stone Loach
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Gray's Stone Loach get?
- The Gray's Stone Loach reaches about 2.5–4" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Gray's Stone Loach need?
- A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for the Gray's Stone Loach.
- What water parameters does the Gray's Stone Loach need?
- The Gray's Stone Loach does best with a temperature of 68–79°F, a pH of 6.5–7.5, hardness around 4–12 dGH.
- Is the Gray's Stone Loach aggressive?
- The Gray's Stone Loach is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Gray's Stone Loach eat?
- The Gray's Stone Loach is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.
- How long does the Gray's Stone Loach live?
- With good care, the Gray's Stone Loach typically lives 2-5 years.