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Etymology: cheni(L.):

Synonyms: None

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Cypriniiformes Family: Balitoridae (River Loaches), subfamily: Balitorinae

First European import: Unknown.

Description: See picture. These fish can easily be distinguished from other Hill stream loaches by the colorful dorsal fin.

Care: Not too difficult. Can be kept in community tanks is groups, or in smaller tanks. Some current is appreciated, as well as plants, caves, and some shade. Frequent small waterchanges are required, the other thing is that the fish need to be fed. Most hill stream loaches die from starvation and/or bad waterconditions.

Temperature:20-25°C

Feeding: Live(Mosquito larvae, Tubifex)and microscopic food. Pellet food is grazed upon.

Size:5.0 cm TL

pH: 6.5 - 7.5; Hardness: 7.0 - 9.0, KH 5

Breeding: Has been bred in aquaria. See: http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/baby_cheni.shtml

Sexual dimorphism: Males have a more square snout, females round.

Prices: 5-7€

Additional: Most Pseudogastromyzon Hill Stream Loaches have as a common name Chinese Hill Stream Loach.

Picture references:All pictures E. Naus

References: Http://www.fishbase.org Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1985): Aquarien Atlas II. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany. http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/baby_cheni.shtml

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