Phenacostethus smithi Myers, 1928
Smith's priapium fish
photo by Ahmad, A.

Family:  Phallostethidae (Priapiumfishes)
Max. size:  2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Asia: Chao Phraya basin (Thailand) and coastal streams of south-east Thailand and Cambodia (Ref. 12041) and Mekong basin (Ref. 12693). Reported from Sumatra, Indonesia (Ref. 13275) and Malaysia (Ref. 57780).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 35-35
Biology:  A euryhaline species (Ref. 12041). Found in freshwater habitats in inland floodplains. Occur in marshes and swamps with plenty of aquatic submerged and floating vegetation. Feed on minute crustaceans and protozoans. Fertilization is internal and eggs are attached to the substrate via adhesive filaments (Ref. 43413). Caught only with the most finely meshed nets.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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