One of the MOST STUNNING loaches we have.
Described from ‘rapids’ on the slopes of the Nilgiri Hills, western Tamil Nadu state, southern India.
The Nilgiris fall within the boundaries of the Nilgiris UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, form part of the Western Ghats mountain chain and are located close to the borders of Karnataka and Kerala states.
It’s now known to have an extended range and has been recorded in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of the Cardamom Hills, Kerala, some distance further south.
Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions.
We strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders.
This can be further furnished with driftwood branches arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots, thus providing broken lines of sight.
While the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis, or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor.
Though torrent-like conditions are unnecessary it does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and some water movement in the tank meaning power filter(s), additional powerhead(s), or airstone(s) should be employed as necessary.
Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running water it’s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires spotless water in order to thrive, meaning weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine.
Mesonoemacheilus species are omnivorous although the bulk of their diet consists of small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton with only relatively small amounts of plant matter consumed.
In the aquarium they will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should not be fed these exclusively.
