| Family: |
Botiidae (Pointface loaches), subfamily: Botiinae |
| Max. size: |
25 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 6.5; dH range: 5 |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins; northern Malay Peninsula. |
| Diagnosis: |
Has 9-12 faint vertical bars with superimposed longitudinal rows of spots of different sizes; several longitudinal stripes on the head and the upper anterior part of the body; a black margin and 3 longitudinal rows of spots on the dorsal fin; several vertical rows of spots on the caudal fin (Ref. 27732); 9 branched dorsal-fin rays; erect ethmoid spine never perpendicular to snout when viewed from above; small mental lobe, lower lip without papillae (Ref. 12693). |
| Biology: |
Usually associated with clear water, swift current and stony to rocky substrate (Ref. 27732). Found in small and medium-sized rivers. Borrows in sand or digs holes under rocks. Enters the flooded forest during the high-water periods and returns to the rivers during November and December in the lower Mekong. Feeds on mollusks and crustaceans. Intolerant of nitrates, it rapidly disappears from areas where fertilizers are applied to crops. Occasionally seen in fish markets (Ref. 12693). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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