Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Botiidae (Pointface loaches) > Botiinae
Eponymy: Dr Yasuhiko Taki (1931-2020) was an Japanese ichthyologist and researcher ‘…who contributed very much’ to the study of loaches, according to the etymology. [...] Laureut-Joseph Morlet (1823–1893) was a French biologist and conchologist who worked at MNHN Paris. He wrote: Diagnoses de mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles du Tonkin (1886). (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 26°C - 30°C (Ref. 1672)
Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, and peninsular Thailand.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7020)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 28 - 30. Has 7-9 branched dorsal-fin rays; a mid-dorsal stripe from head to tail, extending ventrally as vertical bar on caudal peduncle; erect ethmoid spine perpendicular to snout when viewed from above; large mental lobe; body golden brown, sometimes with a series of narrow bars in young individuals (Ref. 12693); a few vertical dark vermiculations on flank; few black dots on caudal fin (Ref. 43281).
Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers (Ref. 12975). Inhabits standing and flowing waters. Found in crevices in rocks or excavates burrows under rocks or logs (Ref. 12693), usually in sandy habitats (Ref. 43281). Feeds on mollusks and benthic invertebrates. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Probably moves into temporarily flooded areas during high water levels. Young of the year return to rivers in November and December in the lower Mekong. Commonly seen in aquarium trade (Ref. 12693).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Kottelat, M., 2004. Botia kubotai, a new species of loach (Teleostei: Cobitidae) from the Ataran River basin (Myanmar), with comments on botiine nomenclature and diagnosis of a new genus. Zootaxa 401:1-18. (Ref. 50472)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5078 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00575 (0.00242 - 0.01369), b=3.08 (2.88 - 3.28), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.44 se; based on food items.
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
