Sewellia elongata Roberts, 1998

Family:  Gastromyzontidae (Hillstream loaches)
Max. size:  7.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Se Kong of the Mekong basin.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 35-37. The following combination of characters distinguished this species from its congeners: body without dark stripes; paired fins with no concentric bands; pelvic fin reaching beyond anus; general appearance elongated; body width at the origin of dorsal fin 20.7-24.4% SL; caudal peduncle depth 8.0-9.6 % SL; caudal peduncle length 1.0-1.2 times in its depth; predorsal length 46.5-49.5% SL; pelvic-fin origin in front of dorsal-fin origin; absence of cavity around mouth; skin-fold between oropectoral membrane and ventral surface of head running from pectoral-fin origin to second rostral barbel; tubercles on top of head concentrated on lateral parts of snout; absence of large tubercles on branched pectoral-fin rays 15-21; and 65-70 lateral line scales. Very dark, almost black when alive; color pattern changes after preservation (Ref. 40433).
Biology:  Occurs in moderately high gradient forested montane stream with large boulders, a coarse gravel or sandy bottom and some logs. Also found in an extremely high gradient, tumultuous mountain stream with huge boulders and coarse gravel bottom.
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 19 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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