Akysis brachybarbatus Chen, 1981
Akysis brachybarbatus
photo by CAFS

Family:  Akysidae (Stream catfishes), subfamily: Akysinae
Max. size:  3.41 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong basin in Yunnan, China.
Diagnosis:  Body grayish white, dark brown from snout to posterior end of base of dorsal fin, with a dark brown longitudinal band on anal fin to adipose fin and end of caudal peduncle, black stripes and small spots on dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins. Barbels 4 pairs; head wide and depressed; snout blunt and rounded; eyes very small and covered by skin membrane; caudal fins deeply concave and tip slightly blunt. Head and body covered with tubercles.
Biology:  Likes to live in clear pools with gravel bottom and usually swims in the current under rocks or beneath floating weeds to search for food. Carnivorous (Ref. 45563).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 04 November 2022 (B2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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