Spotted Stone Loach Care Guide
Schistura notostigma is a spot-patterned stone loach endemic to Sri Lanka, an active, territorial bottom-dweller of fast streams.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Schistura notostigma, the spotted or spotback stone loach, is a nemacheilid loach with an elongated, spot-patterned body. It is an active, territorial bottom-dweller endemic to Sri Lanka.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nemacheilidae
- Genus: Schistura
- Scientific name: Schistura notostigma (Bleeker, 1863)
Habitat
FishBase records the species as endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic stone loach of fast-flowing streams with rock or pebble substrate, in tropical waters around 22-24 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate to strong, oxygenated
- Maximum size: about 6.3 cm
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
It is a carnivore (trophic level about 3.0 per FishBase) feeding on small invertebrates. In aquaria it accepts live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp, plus sinking prepared feeds, offered around twice daily.
Compatibility
It is semi-aggressive and territorial, so provide caves and broken lines of sight. Suitable companions are robust cyprinids and fish that tolerate moving water; slow-water species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 2019), reflecting pressures on its restricted island range.
Spotted Stone Loach (Schistura notostigma) Breeding Guide
Overview
Schistura notostigma is a stone loach of the genus Schistura, family Nemacheilidae. The genus is the most species-rich among nemacheilid loaches, with over 200 recognised species in streams and rivers of southern and eastern Asia, all adapted to fast-flowing water. Aquarium spawning of this species has not been documented.
Sexing
Sexing in Schistura is subtle. As documented for the congener Schistura balteata, males may display enlarged mouthparts and 'cheeks', most visible from above or head-on, while females tend to be slightly thicker-bodied, particularly when full of eggs.
Breeding Setup
Schistura loaches are associated with clear, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water around headwaters, with substrates of coarse sand, gravel, rocks and boulders and little aquatic vegetation. Recreating this high-gradient stream is the basis for any breeding attempt.