Gastromyzon (& other fish) of Batang Sadong basin

**kuching** · 3rd Apr 2006, 23:36

Borneo island is the only place on earth where you can find Gastromyzon. (common name is Borneo sucker fish / hill stream loach) It is a bottom dwelling fish which has a very unique suction cup formed by it's fins and body. This suction cup enables the fish to cling on the rock surface in the fast flowing streams of Borneo.

I found my first Gastromyzon on my outing trip in a river of Bau area, more than 15 years ago. At that time, I thought it was sucker catfish / Pleco (from South America) which is very common fish that you can find in any fish shops all around the world. In fact, there is no relationship at all between Pleco and Gastromyzon.

More on this link:

http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/gastromyzonmenu.htm

**kuching** · 3rd Apr 2006, 23:37

A clearwater river which is a tributary of Batang Sadong. I managed to photograph Gastromyzon and other fishes in very close distance on this spot without scaring them away.

Gastromyzon farragus and a school of Paracrossocheilus vittata are grazing for algae growing on the rock.

Gastromyzon farragus (lateral view)

Gastromyzon scitulus (dorsal view)

**kuching** · 3rd Apr 2006, 23:39

A tadpole of a species of a frog is also got this special suction cup to adhere on the rock. On its right is Gastromyzon farragus.

Tadpole. (ventral view)

Betta taeniata, a species of wild fighting fish. (female)

Hill stream catfish. Glyptothorax major.

Glyptothorax major has a unique thoracic adhesive organ enables the catfish to adhere the rocky substrate in the fast flowing stream.

Homaloptera weberi also can adhere to the submerged rock on fast running stream.

**kuching** · 3rd Apr 2006, 23:40

Gastromyzon farragus. This one has a little bit different of coloration compared with the normal one.

Paracrossocheilus vittata has the ability to cling on the submerged rock too.

Close-up view of the head. Take note that it has very large conical tubercle on each side of the snout.

Gastromyzon crenastus. This one is only 2cm long. I find it difficult to take a good shot on this one as the size of this fish is too small and my camera can not get too close to the water surface.

G. farragus and G. scitulus.

**ranmasatome** · 4th Apr 2006, 00:00

nice pics.. taken in the natural habitat outfield?

**kuching** · 4th Apr 2006, 00:01

Originally Posted by ranmasatome

nice pics.. taken in the natural habitat outfield?

yup, in the natural habitat,not in the aquarium. Some taken in the mini photo tank

**hwchoy** · 4th Apr 2006, 00:04

mikey, I need you to set up a company and pretend to sign up as my business partner so I have an excuse to go to Kuching

**ranmasatome** · 4th Apr 2006, 00:11

Then it makes them even better..

i forget the Genus of frogs that have tadpoles like that... but i remember seeing one some time ago that specifically lays its eggs in fast flowing river and have tadpoles like that as well... hmm... must go find..

**na_cheers** · 4th Apr 2006, 01:07

if i'm not mistaken, i'm sure i saw Gastromyzon farragus selling at lfs area kuching selatan, forget the name of the lfs.Their selling it at rm 8 each.even they said its from China! haha,long ago, first time i saw this also i thought its kinda pleco.but thanx for ur website, now i know most scientific name for our local fishes!

**Nik-enduser** · 4th Apr 2006, 13:40

tadpoles probably belong to genus Meristogenys, a typical hill stream frog species.

**benny** · 4th Apr 2006, 14:16

Originally Posted by Nik-enduser

tadpoles probably belong to genus Meristogenys, a typical hill stream frog species.

Hi Nik-enduser!

Welcome to Aquatic Quotient!!

Glad to finally see you here and hope learn loads more from you!

Cheers,

**Nik-enduser** · 4th Apr 2006, 16:36

On the contrary, I have much to learn from you all as I have been out of aquaristic circle for too long and much more to learn about fish photography.

**kuching** · 4th Apr 2006, 17:29

Originally Posted by na_cheers

if i'm not mistaken, i'm sure i saw Gastromyzon farragus selling at lfs area kuching selatan, forget the name of the lfs.Their selling it at rm 8 each.even they said its from China! haha,long ago, first time i saw this also i thought its kinda pleco.but thanx for ur website, now i know most scientific name for our local fishes!

Southern China also got "relative" of Gastromyzon. They also looks like Gastromyzon, but genus name is different.

**kuching** · 4th Apr 2006, 17:30

Originally Posted by Nik-enduser

tadpoles probably belong to genus Meristogenys, a typical hill stream frog species.

Thanks again HH.

**na_cheers** · 4th Apr 2006, 23:45

Originally Posted by kuching

Southern China also got "relative" of Gastromyzon. They also looks like Gastromyzon, but genus name is different.

Aha, i know there is fish in china look very similiar to gastromyzon,saw it at some magazine. but the one i saw at that lfs look exactly like that.well, maybe i'm wrong.

**kuching** · 5th Apr 2006, 18:59

Originally Posted by na_cheers

Aha, i know there is fish in china look very similiar to gastromyzon,saw it at some magazine. but the one i saw at that lfs look exactly like that.well, maybe i'm wrong.

u can check the pix posted by Mr tree. He has photographed a lot of those sucker fish from China.

**bornNeo** · 5th Apr 2006, 22:56

Mike, waiting you get some pics on G. katibasensis!!

**Nik-enduser** · 6th Apr 2006, 08:35

G. katibasensis is supposed to be bright red, but losing colouration rapidly upon death.

Not seen a good pix of a live specimen yet. See preserved specimen.