Schistura dalatensis Freyhof & Serov, 2001

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  8.72 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: headwaters of the River Dong Nai, Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Lateral line with 10-15 irregular dark blotches, forming dark bars in posterior part of body and usually not meeting their homologues on back; predorsal part of body marbled by irregular spots and saddles; caudal peduncle 1.2-1.7 times longer than deep, its depth 9.7-11.5% SL; eye diameter 12.1-23.9% HL; lateral head length 105.0-123.3 % HL; anus 1.8-3.5 eye diameters in front of anal-fin origin; caudal peduncle with short crests; caudal fin slightly emarginate, median ray 80.8-91.7% of length of upper caudal-fin lobe; eye situated dorsally and interorbital width 21.2-33.8% HL; inner axial stripe absent or faint; caudal-fin base with complete black bar; lateral line complete in most specimens; no suborbital flap in males; dorsal fin with 8 1/2 rays; caudal fin with 9+8 branched rays; pelvic fin with 8 rays (Ref. 40772).
Biology:  Always found syntopic with S. yersini. Rheophilous and occurs in fast flowing water. Always less abundant than S. yersini. Juveniles found in riffles and along the shore. Adults live in deeper river channels. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 17 February 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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