Sinogastromyzon nantaiensis Chen, Han & Fang, 2002

Family:  Balitoridae (River loaches)
Max. size:  4.47 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Kaoping and Tzengwen River basins (including Chiaryi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties) in southern Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 32-32. Pectoral fin with modally 11 simple and 14 branched rays; pelvic fin with modally 7 simple and 16 branched rays; predorsal scales 16-17; body uniformly olive brown; predorsal region of dorsum uniform in adults, with dark brown blotches in smaller sub-adults; pectoral fin base unmarked; caudal fin with 3 vertical dark bars. Pectoral fin quite large, length longer than head length; pelvic fin entirely fused posteriorly; lower lobe of caudal fin slightly longer than upper one (Ref. 47271).
Biology:  Occurs in the middle reaches of streams with swift current over a substrate of gravel. Is always found in riffles at altitudes below 500 m (Ref. 47271).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.