Akysis varius Ng & Kottelat, 1998
Akysis varius
photo by Baird, I.G.

Family:  Akysidae (Stream catfishes), subfamily: Akysinae
Max. size:  4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong basin.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Vertebrae: 31-33. Distinguished from all its congeners by the following unique combination of characters: truncate caudal fin; length of caudal peduncle 16.1-19.8% SL; depth of caudal peduncle 6.5-9.3% SL; length of adipose-fin base 25.6-29.5% SL; interorbital distance 42-46% HL; eye diameter 13-20% HL; length of nasal barbel 44-66% HL; straight lateral margins of the head when viewed dorsally; and 0-5 serrae on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine (Ref. 30226).
Biology:  Hides in decomposing vegetation in stream beds, where it apparently feeds on zooplankton and rotifers (Ref. 30226).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 December 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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