Schistura spiesi Vidthayanon & Kottelat, 2003
photo by Panitvong, N.

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  11.91 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Tham Phra Wang Daeng cave in Thailand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Body pinkish white in life, without color pattern; developed suborbital flap in male, with groove behind flap extending for some distance anteriorly and posteriorly; a long, pointed flap-like nostril tube; eye subcutaneous, vestigial, in a small pit, or apparently missing; eye pit or slit always present and connected with groove bordering suborbital flap in male or with a groove in homologous position in female; eye becoming indistinct at about 8 cm SL; snout depressed; over about 6.5 SL, back humped behind nape, especially in males (Ref. 51711).
Biology:  Inhabits cave, most commonly found resting on the bottom of shallow pools with flowing water. Sometimes occurs in mid-water, or also co-exists with Neolissochilus subterraneus in deeper areas with little flow. Swims along the surface of pools with its snout raised up, out of the water while moving it head from side to side. Large fish occur in the deeper zone, far from the entrance of the cave.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 10 October 2011 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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