Nemacheilus pallidus Kottelat, 1990
Nemacheilus pallidus
photo by Baird, I.G.

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  14 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 35-35. Has 13-16 narrow saddles along the back; a series of 14-19 vertically elongated blotches along the middle of the side, sometimes connected by a faint mid-lateral stripe; a black spot at caudal-fin base, slightly below mid-height; the dorsal fin with a conspicuous black spot in the lower anterior corner; three longitudinal rows of spots on the rays (Ref. 27732).
Biology:  Inhabit shallow depths of small streams and rivers with sandy to muddy bottoms (Ref. 12693). Found over sandy substrate with slow current (Ref.43281). Feeds primarily on insects and some algae. The algae may have been accidentally ingested along with the insect larvae. Not commercially harvested (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 July 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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