Hong Kong Pleco Care Guide
Beaufortia kweichowensis is a Chinese hillstream loach, not a true pleco, requiring strong current and oxygen and grazing biofilm from rocks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Beaufortia kweichowensis is a small flattened loach often sold as the Hong Kong pleco. Despite the trade name it is not a member of the plecostomus group; it belongs to the hillstream loaches and is adapted to cling to rocks in fast-flowing water with a sucker-like underside.
Taxonomy
- Family: Balitoridae
- Genus: Beaufortia
- Scientific name: Beaufortia kweichowensis
Habitat
The species is native to the Xi Jiang (West River) system of southern China, occurring in Guizhou, Guangxi and Guangdong. It inhabits fast-flowing, highly oxygenated headwaters with riffles and runs broken by pools, over substrates of rock, sand and gravel covered in biofilm.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 18-24 °C (64-75 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Water flow: high, well-oxygenated
- Group size: 3 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
It is a herbivore feeding primarily on benthic algae and the micro-organisms within biofilm. In aquaria it accepts algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as spinach, and small amounts of frozen foods; a mature tank with algae-covered surfaces is important, and excessive protein should be avoided.
Compatibility
It is largely peaceful and forms loose aggregations, though males establish small territories and may engage in harmless 'topping' displays. Best kept with other hillstream loaches or fish suited to fast, cool water. Slow-water species should be avoided, and a tightly fitting cover is needed because the fish can climb glass.
Hong Kong Pleco (Beaufortia kweichowensis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Beaufortia kweichowensis is a hillstream loach of the family Gastromyzontidae, often sold as the Hong Kong pleco or butterfly loach despite not being a true pleco. According to Seriously Fish, it inhabits shallow, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated headwaters and minor tributaries with rocky substrates, where riffles and runs are broken up by pools or cascades and jumbles of boulders. Its paired fins are oriented horizontally and its pelvic fins are fused, forming a powerful sucking cup for clinging to rocks in fast water.
Sexing
Males and females are distinguished mainly by body shape. Females are comparatively broad and heavy-framed, with a snout that flows continuously into the pectoral fins. Males are slighter, with a much squarer snout and pectoral fins positioned at right angles to the body.
Common Challenges
The principal obstacle to breeding is the species' demand for fast, highly oxygenated, cool water and a biofilm-rich rocky habitat that is difficult to reproduce in a way that triggers spawning. Because no captive spawning has been recorded, any attempt is experimental and should focus on replicating the natural torrent environment.