Bloody Mary Borneo Loach - Gastromyzon sp.
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach (Gastromyzon sp.)
The Bloody Mary Borneo Loach is a striking hillstream loach from Borneo, prized for its flattened body, clinging fins and vivid blood-red markings around the dorsal base and tail area. It is currently traded as Gastromyzon sp., which means it has not yet been formally described to species level. In the aquarium it is a fascinating specialist fish for a river-style setup, where it will spend much of its time grazing across rocks, glass and décor.
Common Name:
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach. It is also commonly sold as the Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Gastromyzon sp.
Maximum Size:
Around 4–5 cm in captivity, making it a small but very active bottom-dweller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This fish comes from Borneo, with trade references pointing to the Pangkalan Bun / south Borneo area. Like other Gastromyzon, it is associated with fast-flowing, shallow, rocky streams with very high oxygen levels.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–24°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and non-confrontational. It is best kept with other calm fish that will not outcompete it or disturb it constantly.
Diet:
Omnivorous grazer. It should be offered a varied diet including algae-based wafers, fine sinking foods and small frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops or brineshrimp. It also benefits from natural biofilm and algae growth within the aquarium.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 litres for a proper group, with strong emphasis on water movement, oxygenation and mature surfaces to graze on.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that spends most of the day attached to rocks, glass and décor while grazing. It is best kept in a group and is far more natural and confident in a well-established, high-flow setup than in a standard still-water community aquarium.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
This species is peaceful with other fish, but it is classed as specialist because of its environmental needs rather than aggression. Best kept with small, calm fish that enjoy cooler, clean, highly oxygenated water, and ideally alongside other stream-type species that will not bully it. Watch out for boisterous community fish, aggressive bottom-dwellers, warm-water species and tanks with poor flow or low oxygen, as these are much bigger risks than aggression.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish needs a mature river-style aquarium with strong flow, excellent aeration, smooth rocks and stable water quality. It should not be added to very new or overly sterile tanks, as it benefits from algae and biofilm to graze on naturally. Good filtration and regular maintenance are essential.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Bloody Mary Borneo Loach - Gastromyzon sp.
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach - Gastromyzon sp.
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach (Gastromyzon sp.)
The Bloody Mary Borneo Loach is a striking hillstream loach from Borneo, prized for its flattened body, clinging fins and vivid blood-red markings around the dorsal base and tail area. It is currently traded as Gastromyzon sp., which means it has not yet been formally described to species level. In the aquarium it is a fascinating specialist fish for a river-style setup, where it will spend much of its time grazing across rocks, glass and décor.
Common Name:
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach. It is also commonly sold as the Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Gastromyzon sp.
Maximum Size:
Around 4–5 cm in captivity, making it a small but very active bottom-dweller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This fish comes from Borneo, with trade references pointing to the Pangkalan Bun / south Borneo area. Like other Gastromyzon, it is associated with fast-flowing, shallow, rocky streams with very high oxygen levels.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–24°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and non-confrontational. It is best kept with other calm fish that will not outcompete it or disturb it constantly.
Diet:
Omnivorous grazer. It should be offered a varied diet including algae-based wafers, fine sinking foods and small frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops or brineshrimp. It also benefits from natural biofilm and algae growth within the aquarium.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 litres for a proper group, with strong emphasis on water movement, oxygenation and mature surfaces to graze on.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that spends most of the day attached to rocks, glass and décor while grazing. It is best kept in a group and is far more natural and confident in a well-established, high-flow setup than in a standard still-water community aquarium.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
This species is peaceful with other fish, but it is classed as specialist because of its environmental needs rather than aggression. Best kept with small, calm fish that enjoy cooler, clean, highly oxygenated water, and ideally alongside other stream-type species that will not bully it. Watch out for boisterous community fish, aggressive bottom-dwellers, warm-water species and tanks with poor flow or low oxygen, as these are much bigger risks than aggression.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish needs a mature river-style aquarium with strong flow, excellent aeration, smooth rocks and stable water quality. It should not be added to very new or overly sterile tanks, as it benefits from algae and biofilm to graze on naturally. Good filtration and regular maintenance are essential.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $17.55
-65%$17.55
$6.14Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach (Gastromyzon sp.)
The Bloody Mary Borneo Loach is a striking hillstream loach from Borneo, prized for its flattened body, clinging fins and vivid blood-red markings around the dorsal base and tail area. It is currently traded as Gastromyzon sp., which means it has not yet been formally described to species level. In the aquarium it is a fascinating specialist fish for a river-style setup, where it will spend much of its time grazing across rocks, glass and décor.
Common Name:
Bloody Mary Borneo Loach. It is also commonly sold as the Bloody Mary Hillstream Loach.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Gastromyzon sp.
Maximum Size:
Around 4–5 cm in captivity, making it a small but very active bottom-dweller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This fish comes from Borneo, with trade references pointing to the Pangkalan Bun / south Borneo area. Like other Gastromyzon, it is associated with fast-flowing, shallow, rocky streams with very high oxygen levels.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–24°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and non-confrontational. It is best kept with other calm fish that will not outcompete it or disturb it constantly.
Diet:
Omnivorous grazer. It should be offered a varied diet including algae-based wafers, fine sinking foods and small frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops or brineshrimp. It also benefits from natural biofilm and algae growth within the aquarium.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 litres for a proper group, with strong emphasis on water movement, oxygenation and mature surfaces to graze on.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that spends most of the day attached to rocks, glass and décor while grazing. It is best kept in a group and is far more natural and confident in a well-established, high-flow setup than in a standard still-water community aquarium.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
This species is peaceful with other fish, but it is classed as specialist because of its environmental needs rather than aggression. Best kept with small, calm fish that enjoy cooler, clean, highly oxygenated water, and ideally alongside other stream-type species that will not bully it. Watch out for boisterous community fish, aggressive bottom-dwellers, warm-water species and tanks with poor flow or low oxygen, as these are much bigger risks than aggression.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish needs a mature river-style aquarium with strong flow, excellent aeration, smooth rocks and stable water quality. It should not be added to very new or overly sterile tanks, as it benefits from algae and biofilm to graze on naturally. Good filtration and regular maintenance are essential.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
