Patternless Pingi, Golden Sail Pingi Hillstream Loach

Note: It is still unknown whether this is a regional variation of B. pingi, or if it is a new, undescribed species.

Pearl Fin Hillstream Loach

Green Zebra Hillstream Loach

Yunnan Green Zebra Hillstream Loach

Note: While this is likely the same species as the Guangxi Green B. viridis, the white to green ratio between the two regional variations is easily distinguished by the naked eye.

Golden Zebra Hillstream Loach

Note: It is still unknown whether this is a regional variation of B. zebroida, or if it is a new, undescribed species.

Cyclone Hillstream Loach

Huangguoshu Hillstream Loach

Note: Huang Guo Shu (literally "yellow-fruit trees") refers to the Huangguo Waterfalls scenic area in western Guizhou Province.

Butterfly Hillstream Loach, Guizhou Hillstream Loach

Mottled Hillstream Loach, Hainan Island Hillstream Loach

Note 1: Some regional variations are easily mistaken for B. polylepsis.

Note 2: While the type specimens of this species are from Hainan island, the name is also applied to populations from southern Guangxi Province, as well as northern Vietnam and Laos. It is possible that these non-Hainan populations are actually B. polylepsis, or even a new, undescribed species. ALL INDIVIDUALS SHOWN ARE FROM NORTHERN LAOS.

Porcelain Hillstream Loach

Note: Individual pattern variation is very high in this species. Despite patterns varying from spotted, to blotched, to striped, ALL individuals shown were collected from the same location.

Mosaic Hillstream Loach

Note: Some regional variations are easily mistaken for B. leveretti.

Yunnan Pink Hillstream Loach

Note: This species was previously considered to be a regional variation of V. striata and is not easily identified by appearance. However, FEMALES of this species typically turn pink or red when they reach breeding size.

Sawtooth Hillstream Loach

Note: This species was previously considered to be a regional variation of V. striata and is not easily identified by appearance.

Yellowfin Striated Hillstream Loach

Note 1: Males of this species typically develop bright yellow fins when they reach breeding size.

Note 2: V. microcephala, V. pseudostriata, V. serriliata, and V. tetraloba were previously considered to be the same species as V. striata and are not easily distinguished by appearance.

Fourleaf Hillstream Loach

Note: This species was previously considered to be a regional variation of V. striata and is not easily identified by appearance. However, the darkened bands of this species are fewer and farther apart, making them somewhat more similar in appearance to the Vietnamese V. crassicauda.

Caldwell's Hillstream Loach

Note: This is one of the smallest species within the genus Vanmanenia. Adults are unlikely to exceed 10cm.

Black Diamondback Hillstream Loach

Note: These are LARGE hillstream loaches. Adults often exceed 15cm in total length.

Marble-Banded Hillstream Loach

Stone Guardian Hillstream Loach

Note: V. intermedia (2020), V. maculata (2014), and V. marmorata (2021) were previously considered to be the same species as V. pingchowensis and are not easily distinguished by appearance. In an effort to prevent mixed-species or wrong-species orders, collection locations for this species will NOT include known locations of V. intermedia (Kaili, Duyun, and Pingtang, Guizhou Province), V. maculata (Hubei & Hunan Provinces) and V. marmorata (Jiangkou, Guizhou Province) according to scientific literature*, unless the importer specifically requests it.

* Shuqing Deng & E Zhang (2021) Vanmanenia intermedia Fang, 1935, a valid hill-stream species of loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Yangtze River basin, Southwest China
* Shuqing Deng & E Zhang (2021) Vanmanenia marmorata, a new species of loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China
* WEN-JING YI, et al. (2014) Vanmanenia maculata, a new species of hillstream loach from the Chang-Jiang Basin, South China (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae)

Qingyuan Hillstream Loach

White Leopard Hillstream Loach

Note: It is still unknown whether this rarely seen "red" hillstream loach is a local genetic mutation of V. pingchowensis, or if it is a new, undescribed species.

Noir Brushstroke Hillstream Loach

Whiskered Hillstream Loach

Changting County Hillstream Loach

Changting County Hillstream Loach

Note: This is a less common regional variation.

Fang's Striped Hillstream Loach

Fang's Ombré Hillstream Loach

Fang's Spotted Hillstream Loach

Chen's Blackfin Hillstream Loach

Chen's Redfin Hillstream Loach

Zhejiang Hillstream Loach (variant 1), Jiulong River Hillstream Loach (variant 2)

Note: The formerly recognized "P. jiulongjiangensis" is not a valid species, as it is not genetically distinct from P. fasciatus*.

* Chen (2003) Resolving phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic revision in the Pseudogastromyzon

Purple-Fin Hillstream Loach

Note: Only adult males have purple fins. Juveniles and females appear similar to P. cheni or P. myersi.

Lianjiang Hillstream Loach, Blue-Fin Hillstream Loach

Note: Although fin and body colors are different from other P. laticeps, the formerly recognized "P. lianjiangensis" is not a valid species, as it is not genetically distinct from P. laticeps*.

* Chen (2003) Resolving phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic revision in the Pseudogastromyzon

Chinese Hillstream Loach, Myers' Hillstream Loach, Red Fin Hillstream Loach, Hong Kong Sucker

Note: Some retailers identify this species as the "Hong Kong Pleco," which is a misnomer. "Plecos" are sucker catfish from South America, and they are not related to loaches.

Note: Formerly misidentified as a regional variant of P. fasciatus.

Damingshan Hillstream Loach

Ruby Studded Hillstream Loach

Beauty-Banded Hillstream Loach

Broken-Band Hillstream Loach

Qiongzhong Hillstream Loach

Golden Ocelot Hillstream Loach

Note: All images are currently juveniles.

Orange Zebra Hillstream Loach

Note: MOST of these are GREEN. The orange namesake variant is less common.

Green Marble Hillstream Loach, Olive Hillstream Loach

Panda Loach

Golden Line Panda Loach

Lancang River Hillstream Loach

Emei Mountain Hillstream Loach

Baoting County Hillstream Loach

Largefin Lizard Loach

Nujiang Lizard Loach

Mengla County Lizard Loach

Note: Jinshaia are typically recognized as the LARGEST species of hillstream loaches. Adults frequently exceed 15cm in total length.

Niulan River Jinshaia Loach

Note: Jinshaia are typically recognized as the LARGEST species of hillstream loaches. Adults frequently exceed 15cm in total length.

Chinese Jinshaia Loach

Note: Jinshaia are typically recognized as the LARGEST species of hillstream loaches. Adults frequently exceed 15cm in total length.

Plow-Face Whiptail Loach

Golden-Vein Hillstream Loach

Sichang Hillstream Loach