Bashimyzon cheni Gong & Zhang, 2024

Family:  Gastromyzontidae (Hillstream loaches)
Max. size:  4.27 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; depth range 0 - 1 m
Distribution:  Asia: China.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal soft rays: 5-5; Vertebrae: 29-30. This species is distinguished from B. damingshanensis by the following characters: with 8-9 teardrop-shaped black blotches wider than interspaces, the majority portion of each blotch located above the lateral line on the flank (vs. 12 irregular black bars narrower than interspaces, and located along the lateral line on the flank); fewer rows of blackish spots across dorsal-fin rays 3 (vs. 4); fewer lateral-line pored scales 84-86 (vs. 88-95); a gradual (vs. abrupt) upward dorsal profile of head in front of nostrils; a deeply (vs. slightly) curved rostral groove, or the greater (vs. less) distance from the median point of the distal margin of the upper lip to the anterior-most tip of the snout than half of the mouth width, a distinct (vs. indistinct) incision on both side of the fleshy pad of the lower lip (Ref. 130915).
Biology:  This species was caught in shallow fast-flowing waters, at depths of 0.2-0.8 m, with a mixed bottom substrate of boulders, cobbles, and sands. Associated species included Opsariichthys bidens, Osteochilus salsburyi, Schistura fasciolata, Traccatichthys pulcher, Mystus guttatus, Glyptothorax fokiensis, and Mastacembelus armatus (Ref. 130915).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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