Origin
Native to fast-moving streams in southern China, especially in the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, often found in shallow rocky riffles and clear creeks.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Males display iridescent blue and red vertical bands across their bodies with speckled fins and a compact, perching stance. Their inquisitive nature and “hop-and-rest” movement make them highly watchable.

Purpose
Functions as a dynamic mid-to-bottom tank resident, using rocks as vantage points. Adds movement and visual interest to stream tanks while controlling microfauna and detritus.

Importance
Ideal for stream or hillstream aquascapes. Offers both aesthetic and behavioral appeal. Small bio-load and relatively low aggression make it community-compatible under the right conditions.

Included Resources
Requires smooth rocks, moderate flow, and oxygen-rich, cool water. Use sponge or river manifold filtration systems. Soft sand or fine gravel is ideal for substrate.

Best Use Cases
Hillstream biotope tanks, community river tanks with small, cool-water fish, or species-only displays. Ideal for aquarists wanting to replicate Asian stream environments.

Conservation Context
Populations face habitat pressure from pollution and damming. Responsible sourcing or captive-bred individuals are encouraged to reduce wild impact.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Hillstream loaches
• Danios and white cloud mountain minnows
• Shrimp (Amano, Neocaridina)
• Snails (Neritina, Malaysian trumpet)
• Rhinogobius tank mates (with space)

Region (A)
• Latitude: 23.1291° N
• Longitude: 113.2644° E
(Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 25.2345° N
• Longitude: 110.1796° E
(Yaoshan Mountains, Guangxi, China)