Yasuhikotakia splendida (Roberts, 1995)
photo by Baird, I.G.

Family:  Botiidae (Pointface loaches), subfamily: Botiinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong basin.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Vertebrae: 31-31. Differs from all other species in having a large dark mark on caudal peduncle forming a complete ring (i.e. going completely around caudal peduncle) and outlined anteriorly as well as posteriorly by complete pale rings. It differs from all species except B. morleti in having dorsal, anal, and caudal fins pale or bright yellow, with distinctive round, oval, or oblong dark spots on caudal fin. It entirely lacks the complete dorsomedian black stripe diagnostic of the species B. morleti. Spots on the caudal fin fewer but larger, and submarginal dark stripe on dorsal and anal fins better defined than in B. morleti (Ref. 31466). Dorsal fin with 8 branched rays; 14-19 narrow irregular bars on side (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  Inhabits swift or moderately swift, clearwater, foothill streams with predominantly rocky or cobblestone bottom (Ref. 31466). Collected together with B. sidthimunki/i> and Botia (Hymenophysa sp. (Ref. 31466).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 25 February 2011 (A2c+3c) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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