Oreonectes platycephalus Günther, 1868
Flat-headed loach
photo by CAFS

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 35-36. Distinguished from other species by having the following characters: head flat at dorsum; eyes present; dorsal fin origin behind the pelvic-fin origin; dorsal-fin base and caudal-fin base with black pigment; caudal fin rounded; body with minute scales except for head; incomplete lateral line with 16-18 pores; cephalic lateral-line system with 8 supraorbital, 3+10 infraorbital pores; sexual dimorphic, males with the genital papilla located immediately posterior to anus, gonad opens at end of fleshy prominence; 4+31~32 vertebrae (Ref. 75196). Description: D iii,7; A iii,5; P i+10; V i+6 (Ref. 75196).
Biology:  Inhabits near the bottom of clear, fast-flowing streams. Feeds on benthic organisms and detritus (Ref. 5258).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 10 August 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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