Syncrossus helodes (Sauvage, 1876)
Tiger botia
photo by Janiczak, B.J.

Family:  Botiidae (Pointface loaches), subfamily: Botiinae
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 6.5; dH range: 5, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins; also from the northern Malay Peninsula.
Diagnosis:  Has about 10-12 dark vertical bars on the side; a series of small, dark, vertical marks on the lower anterior part of the body above the level of the pectoral fin; a black margin and 2-3 longitudinal rows of black spots on the dorsal fin; several vertical bars or rows of spots on the caudal fin (Ref. 27732); 12-14 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 found in large rivers with a muddy substrate (Ref. 27732) and also with bottom cover of rocks, logs, or even brush piles. Nocturnal or crepuscular fish. Feeds on mollusks, benthic insect larvae and worms. Moves into flooded areas during the rainy season and returns to rivers during November and December. Sometimes marketed fresh. Made into prahoc along the TonlĂ© Sap, Cambodia (Ref. 12693)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.