| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae |
| Max. size: |
7.74 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Xe Bangfai drainage (tributary of Mekong) in Central Laos. Known only from two caves ("Grotte des Nuages" and "Tham Pong") adjacent to the upstream extremity of the Xe Bangfai tunnel ("Tham Xe Bangfai" and "Tham Khoun Xe") (Ref. 86533). |
| Diagnosis: |
In addition to the absence of eyes and whitish color due to lack of pigmentation which are common characters to many hypogean fishes, Speolabeo musaei is distinguished from all species of Bangana, Altigena and 'B.' lemassoni-group by the following characters: dorsal fin with only 7-8½ branched rays (vs. 10-12½); pelvic-fin origin at the vertical between the first unbranched and first branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. at the vertical through 3rd to 6th branched rays); absence of tubercles on the snout (vs. presence of tubercles); edge of the upper jaw is distinct, very narrow, adnate to the upper lip and separated from it by a narrow and very shallow furrow (vs. upper jaw entirely enclosed in upper lip); distal edge of the dorsal fin is straight or slightly concave (vs. conspicuously concave in species of Altigena and Bangana); 35-37 scales on lateral line (vs. 40-47 in the 'B.' lemassoni-group, 40-43 in Bangana); and postlabial groove is confined in the corner of the mouth (vs. complete in Altigena, medially interrupted in Bangana and the 'B.' lemassoni-group) (Ref. 116545). |
| Biology: |
Found in caves (Ref. 86533). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 20 February 2011 (D2) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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