Ornate Blue Tail Hillstream Loach (Gastromyzon ornaticauda)

The Ornate Blue Tail Hillstream Loach (Gastromyzon ornaticauda) is a specialized riverine species native to the island of Borneo. Verified records place it in Malaysian Borneo, particularly in the Kuamut headwaters of Sabah, where it occupies cool and clear forest streams with strong oxygen levels and rapid flow. Its flattened body, low profile, and broad paired fins act as a natural gripping mechanism that allows the fish to anchor itself to smooth stones in fast water. The species feeds primarily on biofilm and micro organisms that develop on these stone surfaces. These biological adaptations reflect the evolutionary pressures of a narrow ecological niche shaped by continuous flow and high oxygen concentration. Although Borneo includes both Malaysian territory and the Indonesian region known as Kalimantan, current verified evidence documents this species only within Malaysian Borneo. Until peer reviewed work confirms a wider range it remains correct to avoid unsupported assumptions about its distribution.

In the aquarium trade the Ornate Blue Tail Hillstream Loach has developed a reputation for rarity and beauty that stands apart from most small river fishes. The tail fin often displays a blue or blue green glow that shifts subtly as the fish adjusts its position relative to the light. This color impression is supported by a series of intricate body markings that justify the species name and create a vivid sense of detail even when the fish is still. When it settles on a river stone its body can reflect light in a manner that resembles polished slate or dark pebbles soaked by rain. Many aquarists describe a sense of quiet elegance in the way it moves from one grazing point to another, combining bursts of purposeful motion with prolonged periods of calm. These qualities contribute to the strong interest among keepers who favor authentic river biotope systems and who appreciate the discipline required to maintain a specialist species.

Proper care of the Ornate Blue Tail Hillstream Loach depends on precise environmental control and consistent system design. The species requires very clean water, a strong current, abundant oxygen, and smooth hardscape surfaces that support natural biofilm growth. Temperatures from sixty eight to seventy five degrees Fahrenheit maintain the correct thermal range, and a pH between six point five and seven point five reflects the mildly acidic to neutral conditions of its native streams. Groups of three to five individuals allow natural behavior while avoiding crowding, and a diet based on biofilm with supplemental sinking foods supports long term health. Captive breeding has not been reliably documented, which increases the sense of exclusivity surrounding the species and elevates demand when well conditioned individuals become available. For aquarists willing to meet its environmental requirements this loach offers a rare opportunity to keep a river adapted fish whose beauty, behavior, and ecological precision reflect one of the most distinctive freshwater habitats on the island of Borneo. This fish ships individual bagged, one fish per bag.

Common Name:  Ornate Blue Tail Hillstream Loach
Scientific Name:  Gastromyzon ornaticauda
Country of Import:  Indonesia
Prophylactic Treatment:  Erythromycin / Metro
Approximate Current Size:  1.5” – 2.25″
Temp/pH/TDS:  75F / 6.5 pH / 80

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