Glyptothorax elankadensis Plamoottil & Abraham, 2013
Travancore rock catfish
photo by Plamoottil, M.

Family:  Sisoridae (Sisorid catfishes), subfamily: Sisorinae
Max. size:  11.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: India.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-6; Anal soft rays: 7-10. This medium sized species is distinguished by the following characters: tips of all the fins yellow; 3 narrow yellow bands, one mid dorsal and others mid lateral on longitudinal axis of body; 2 small yellowish round spots on dorsal side, downwards and backwards from dorsal fin origin; a round yellowish spot in between eyes; median fontanel on the dorsal side of the head very faint and indistinct; occipital process does not reach basal bone of dorsal fin; eyes very minute; blue colored, nearly circular, level to the surface of head or a little bulging and are located behind and above the angle of jaws; inferior mouth; thoracic apparatus longer than broad, with an elongated groove in the middle of it; rayed dorsal is shorter than head and pectoral, but longer than pelvic and anal, the base is longer than pectoral and pelvic but shorter than anal; first ray of pectoral and last undivided ray of dorsal fin are serrated on inner side, none of the fins touch each other; ventral surface of anterior region of head papillated; body finely granulated; head length 4.2, body depth at dorsal fin origin 5.9 in standard length; eye diameter 17.1; head width 1.1, head depth 1.6, width of gape of mouth 2.6 in head length (Ref. 93434).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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