| Family: |
Balitoridae (River loaches) |
| Max. size: |
5.06 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Kali River system in Karnataka, India. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 34. Balitora chipkali is distinguished from all other species of Balitora by the following combination of characters: a single maxillary barbel on each corner of the gape; upper lip with 9-12 papillae in first series and 3-8 papillae in second series, lower lip with 6 papillae; eye diameter greater than 15% HL; gape of mouth less than 30% HL; snout length 49.6-57.6% HL with snout length less than 4 times eye diameter; body depth less than 15% SL; caudal peduncle depth 6.9-7.8% SL; caudal peduncle length-to-depth ratio less than 3.0, 66-68 lateral line scales; 11 caudal vertebrae excluding compound centrum; third infraorbital sensory-canal tube straight; pharyngobranchial 2 greatly reduced; posterior ceratohyal more than 80% of the length of the anterior ceratohyal and almost round; and 7 dorsal saddles, not reaching lateral irregular crossbar markings (Ref. 109578). |
| Biology: |
The type locality is a shallow stream with substrates composed of boulders, rocks, pebbles, gravel, and mud. Occurs together with the following fish species: Cyprinidae (Haludaria sp., Hypselobarbus pulchellus (Day), Osteochilichthys cf. nashii (Day), Pethia sp., Puntius cf. sahyadriensis Silas, Devario malabaricus (Jerdon)); Aplocheilidae (Aplocheilus cf. lineatus (Valenciennes)); Mastacembelidae (Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède)); and Sisoridae (Glyptothorax sp.) (Ref. 109578). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 20 June 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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