Schistura spiloptera (Valenciennes, 1846)
photo by FAO

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  5.22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Vietnam. Reported from the Mekong basin (Ref. 26580).
Diagnosis:  Differs from its congeners in Indochina by the combination of the following characters; processus dentiformis present; caudal fin with 9+8 branched rays; pelvic fin with 8 rays; complete lateral line; color pattern with 9-13 dark bars on body, regularly shaped and set; complete black bar at caudal fin base thin, reaching dorsal and ventral midlines in some specimens; axillary pelvic lobe present; pelvic fin situated under branched rays 1-2 of dorsal fin; body elongated and head depressed; caudal peduncle 1.2-1.4 times longer than deep; axillary pelvic lobe small; caudal fin slightly emarginate and bright red in life, orange to hyaline in preserved specimens (Ref. 40772). Description: dorsal fin with 4 simple and 8 1/2 branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 5 1/2 branched rays (Ref. 40772).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow, clear, fast-flowing water over rocky bottoms in upland streams. Seasonal movements slight, if they occur at all. Feeds on insect larvae, some algae and phytoplankton. Not caught commercially, but might have possibilities in the aquarium trade (Ref. 12693). A 4.32 cm SL female with ovulae 1.5 mm in diameter (Ref. 39226).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 04 September 2010 (A2e; B1ab(i,ii,iv)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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