Leverett's Beaufortia

Beaufortia leveretti is one of the less frequently encountered Beaufortia species, overshadowed in the hobby by the more widely distributed B. kweichowensis. It is native to rivers in southern China and displays a more subdued mottled patterning compared to its popular relative — a network of fine brown lines on a cream ground rather than the bold reticulations or blocks of B. kweichowensis. Its care requirements are virtually identical, making existing hillstream keepers well-placed to maintain this species.

In the aquarium, B. leveretti behaves in much the same way as the Chinese Butterfly Loach: constant grazing activity across all available surfaces, mild territorial interactions within the group, and a strong preference for cool, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water. It accepts the same range of prepared foods and is similarly long-lived when maintained in appropriate conditions.

For collectors who want to expand beyond the standard hillstream species, B. leveretti offers an interesting alternative or companion species. Its subtler patterning takes on a refined beauty in well-lit aquaria with established biofilm growth, and its behaviour is essentially indistinguishable from B. kweichowensis, making mixed-species groups easy to manage.

Water: 18–24°C, pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15, KH 3–10; strong flow and good oxygenation; treat identically to B. kweichowensis in all water quality respects. Tank: 80 L minimum; smooth flat stones and rounded pebbles; strong directional flow; moderate to good lighting to encourage algae growth on rocks. Feeding: Biofilm, diatoms, and green algae; supplement with spirulina wafers, algae discs, and blanched courgette or cucumber. Breeding: Has been bred in captivity; condition with cool water changes and increased flow; eggs deposited under flat stones; fry require biofilm. Compatibility: Peaceful; compatible with B. kweichowensis and other Chinese hillstream loaches in the same biotope tank.