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Freshwater
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Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)
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Pro
Description
With its flattened body and wing-like fins, the Butterfly Hillstream Loach resembles a miniature stingray gliding over smooth stones. Native to fast-flowing mountain streams, it's a favorite for river-style aquascapes and algae control in cool, oxygen-rich tanks.
Difficulty Level
Intermediate Care
Region
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires cool, highly oxygenated water with strong flow and clean surfaces. Needs specialized setup to thrive long-term.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, but captive-bred lines are emerging. Naturally found in limited, highland river systems in China.
Origin
Native to southern China, particularly the fast-flowing tributaries of the Guizhou and Guangxi provinces in the Pearl River system.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its wide, ventral fins spread like butterfly wings as it clings to rocks in high flow. The speckled, camouflaged body adds texture and realism to fast-water biotopes, while its graceful movement brings life to the lower zones.
Purpose
Algae grazer and glass cleaner for high-flow setups. Acts as a natural periphyton consumer, feeding on biofilm and detritus that accumulate on tank surfaces.
Importance
Great for aquarists seeking unique movement and an authentic riverbank scape. Helps balance ecosystems with gentle grazing and biofilm control.
Included Resources
Requires strong flow, cool temps (68–75°F), and highly oxygenated water. Smooth stones, high surface area, and a tight-fitting lid are essential. Doesn’t tolerate stagnant water or high temps.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for river tank systems, hillstream biotopes, or aquascapes emulating Southeast Asian headwaters. Avoid tanks with sand-only bottoms—needs rock structures and current zones.
Conservation Context
Natural habitat is under pressure from damming and pollution. Captive propagation supports conservation, and reducing wild capture is essential for long-term sustainability.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• White Cloud Mountain minnows
• Danios and hillstream rasboras
• Stiphodon gobies
• Amano shrimp
• Small loaches and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: 26.6000° N
• Longitude: 106.7000° E
(Guizhou Province, China — Nanpan River headwaters)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 23.2000° N
• Longitude: 108.3000° E
(Guangxi Province, China — Liu River tributaries)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires cool, highly oxygenated water with strong flow and clean surfaces. Needs specialized setup to thrive long-term.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, but captive-bred lines are emerging. Naturally found in limited, highland river systems in China.
Origin
Native to southern China, particularly the fast-flowing tributaries of the Guizhou and Guangxi provinces in the Pearl River system.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its wide, ventral fins spread like butterfly wings as it clings to rocks in high flow. The speckled, camouflaged body adds texture and realism to fast-water biotopes, while its graceful movement brings life to the lower zones.
Purpose
Algae grazer and glass cleaner for high-flow setups. Acts as a natural periphyton consumer, feeding on biofilm and detritus that accumulate on tank surfaces.
Importance
Great for aquarists seeking unique movement and an authentic riverbank scape. Helps balance ecosystems with gentle grazing and biofilm control.
Included Resources
Requires strong flow, cool temps (68–75°F), and highly oxygenated water. Smooth stones, high surface area, and a tight-fitting lid are essential. Doesn’t tolerate stagnant water or high temps.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for river tank systems, hillstream biotopes, or aquascapes emulating Southeast Asian headwaters. Avoid tanks with sand-only bottoms—needs rock structures and current zones.
Conservation Context
Natural habitat is under pressure from damming and pollution. Captive propagation supports conservation, and reducing wild capture is essential for long-term sustainability.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• White Cloud Mountain minnows
• Danios and hillstream rasboras
• Stiphodon gobies
• Amano shrimp
• Small loaches and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: 26.6000° N
• Longitude: 106.7000° E
(Guizhou Province, China — Nanpan River headwaters)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 23.2000° N
• Longitude: 108.3000° E
(Guangxi Province, China — Liu River tributaries)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires cool, highly oxygenated water with strong flow and clean surfaces. Needs specialized setup to thrive long-term.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, but captive-bred lines are emerging. Naturally found in limited, highland river systems in China.
Origin
Native to southern China, particularly the fast-flowing tributaries of the Guizhou and Guangxi provinces in the Pearl River system.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its wide, ventral fins spread like butterfly wings as it clings to rocks in high flow. The speckled, camouflaged body adds texture and realism to fast-water biotopes, while its graceful movement brings life to the lower zones.
Purpose
Algae grazer and glass cleaner for high-flow setups. Acts as a natural periphyton consumer, feeding on biofilm and detritus that accumulate on tank surfaces.
Importance
Great for aquarists seeking unique movement and an authentic riverbank scape. Helps balance ecosystems with gentle grazing and biofilm control.
Included Resources
Requires strong flow, cool temps (68–75°F), and highly oxygenated water. Smooth stones, high surface area, and a tight-fitting lid are essential. Doesn’t tolerate stagnant water or high temps.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for river tank systems, hillstream biotopes, or aquascapes emulating Southeast Asian headwaters. Avoid tanks with sand-only bottoms—needs rock structures and current zones.
Conservation Context
Natural habitat is under pressure from damming and pollution. Captive propagation supports conservation, and reducing wild capture is essential for long-term sustainability.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• White Cloud Mountain minnows
• Danios and hillstream rasboras
• Stiphodon gobies
• Amano shrimp
• Small loaches and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: 26.6000° N
• Longitude: 106.7000° E
(Guizhou Province, China — Nanpan River headwaters)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 23.2000° N
• Longitude: 108.3000° E
(Guangxi Province, China — Liu River tributaries)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)
Region
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