Erromyzon compactus Kottelat, 2004

Family:  Gastromyzontidae (Hillstream loaches)
Max. size:  3.08 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Ba Che drainage in Viet Nam.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Distinguished from Erromyzon compactus by having fewer bars on flank (12 vs. 16-18), a more compact body with pectoral fin extending further backward (3/4 of distance to pelvic-fin origin, vs. 1/2) and pelvic fin reaching anus (vs. not), caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. depth 1.1-1.3 times in length), a shorter snout (69 % HL, vs. 77-86) and smaller eye (45% HL, vs. 54-56). Possesses numerous tubercles on snout, cheek and opercles, which are missing in E. sinensis, but their development might depend on season and sexual maturity (Ref. 54043). Description: Dorsal fin with 3 simple and 7 1/2 branched rays; anal fin with 2 simple and 5 1/2 branched rays; pectoral fin with 1 simple and 17 branched rays; and pelvic fin with 1 simple and 8 branched rays (Ref. 54043).
Biology:  Collected during rainy season from swift flowing, turbid water over large boulders (Ref. 54043).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Ba Che drainage, Quang Ninh Province of eastern Vietnam, about 70 km northeast of Haiphong. Only one specimen was collected despite substantial sampling efforts (Ref. 54043).


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