Berdmore's Spiny Loach

Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei is a member of the Cobitidae family found in Myanmar and the northeastern states of India, inhabiting sandy-bottomed streams and rivers with leaf litter and moderate current. It is a small, slender loach with a fine pattern of irregular brown-and-cream banding running from nose to tail, providing excellent camouflage against sandy and leafy substrates. Like all Lepidocephalichthys, it carries a bifid suborbital spine that can become entangled in nets — care should be taken when handling.

In the aquarium it is an appealing and completely peaceful bottom-dweller. It spends most of its time sifting through sandy substrate for small food particles, foraging among leaf litter, and resting partially buried. A biotope-style setup with fine sand, Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and moderate flow best suits this species. It should be kept in groups of at least six to display natural behaviour.

Breeding in captivity has been achieved sporadically. Eggs are deposited among leaf litter and fine-leaved plants. Fry are very small and require micro live foods initially.

Water: 22–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft; moderate flow and well-oxygenated water. Tank: 60 L minimum; fine sand substrate; leaf litter and driftwood; biotope setup ideal. Feeding: Omnivore; sinking micro-pellets, live/frozen Daphnia, bloodworm, blanched vegetables. Breeding: Egg-scatter among leaf litter; fry need micro live foods; achievable in biotope setups. Compatibility: Peaceful bottom-dweller; excellent with small danios, barbs, and rasboras.