Genus · Loaches

Labigastromyzon

Labigastromyzon is a genus with 2 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Loaches section, recorded from China. Adult sizes run from 3 in to 3 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
2
Adult sizes
3 in
IUCN assessed
2 of 2
Recorded from
China

About the genus

Labigastromyzon is a small genus of hillstream loaches restricted to fast-flowing streams in China, where its two known species cling to rock and gravel substrates in oxygen-rich current. Like other hillstream loaches, expect a flattened body profile, a ventral sucking mouth, and paired fins broadened into disc-like pads that let the fish hold station against strong flow rather than swim against it. Atlas species run about 3 in as adults, small even by hillstream-loach standards.

Neither species — the Changting hillstream loach (L. changtingensis) and L. fangi — has an established presence in the aquarium trade; this is a genus known mainly from regional ichthyological surveys rather than fishkeeping. Both are Not Evaluated by IUCN, which for a narrow-range Chinese stream genus more likely reflects a lack of assessment work than a lack of pressure — fast-flowing habitat in this part of China faces heavy damming and water-diversion development. Data on husbandry, diet, and breeding in captivity are effectively absent.

IUCN Red List: Not Evaluated · 2

The 2 species

Every Labigastromyzon recorded in this atlas. Each card links to a full researched profile — distribution, water parameters, and aquarium care, cited to primary sources.

(Liang, 1942)

Changting hillstream loach, Zebra hillstream loach

3 in TL · NE

(Nichols, 1931)

3 in SL · NE

Explore further

How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Labigastromyzon. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/labigastromyzon/

← All Loaches