Yasuhikotakia morleti — Details

Skunk Loach learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Biology

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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).

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) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=50472&speccode=10892

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Distribution

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Asia.

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Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, and peninsular Thailand.

Kottelat, M. 2001 Fishes of Laos. WHT Publications Ltd., Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. 198 p. (Ref. 43281) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=43281&speccode=6261

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Range Description

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Recorded from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Maeklong basins in Thailand and Cambodia, and from peninsular Thailand.

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Physical Description

Morphology

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Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 28 - 30

Taki, Y. and A. Doi 1995 Two new species of the cobitid genus Botia from the Lao Mekong Basin. Jap. J. Ichthyol. 42(2):147-155. (Ref. 13469) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=13469&speccode=11321

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Size

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Maximum size: 100 mm ---

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Max. size

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10.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 7020))

Mills, D. and G. Vevers 1989 The Tetra encyclopedia of freshwater tropical aquarium fishes. Tetra Press, New Jersey. 208 p. (Ref. 7020) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=7020&speccode=5247

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Diagnostic Description

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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).

Taki, Y. and A. Doi 1995 Two new species of the cobitid genus Botia from the Lao Mekong Basin. Jap. J. Ichthyol. 42(2):147-155. (Ref. 13469) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=13469&speccode=11321

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Type Information

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Type for Botia horae
Catalog Number: USNM 90286
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Preparation: Radiograph
Collector(s): H. Smith
Year Collected: 1929
Locality: West Fork of the Meklong, Western Siam, Thailand, Asia

Type:

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Ecology

Habitat

Environment

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demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12

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Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology

Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers (Taki 1978) in standing and flowing waters. Found in crevices in rocks, usually over sandy substrates. Feeds on molluscs and benthic invertebrates. Probably moves into temporarily flooded areas during high water levels (Rainboth 1996). Young of the year return to rivers in November and December in the lower Mekong.

Systems

Freshwater

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Diseases and Parasites

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White spot Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Bassleer, G. 1997 Color guide of tropical fish diseases: on freshwater fish. Bassleer Biofish, Westmeerbeek, Belgium. 272 p. (Ref. 41805) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=41805&speccode=10660

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Bacterial Infections (general). Bacterial diseases

Bassleer, G. 1997 Color guide of tropical fish diseases: on freshwater fish. Bassleer Biofish, Westmeerbeek, Belgium. 272 p. (Ref. 41805) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=41805&speccode=10660

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Life History and Behavior

Life Cycle

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Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen 1966 Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p. (Ref. 205) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=205&speccode=1256

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Molecular Biology and Genetics

Molecular Biology

Barcode data: Yasuhikotakia morleti

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The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

No available public DNA sequences.

Download FASTA File

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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Yasuhikotakia morleti

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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 5
Specimens with Barcodes: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1

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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category

LC

Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2011

Assessor/s

Allen, D.

Reviewer/s

Conway, K.W. & Juffe Bignoli, D.

Contributor/s

Justification

Recorded from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Maeklong basins in Thailand and Cambodia, and from peninsular Thailand, the species is assessed as Least Concern at present. Further research into population trends and potential threats, including harvesting for the aquarium trade, is required.

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Trends

Population

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Population

No information available.

Population Trend

Unknown

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Threats

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Least Concern (LC)

IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073

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Major Threats

No information available.

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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions

Research into the harvest and trade of the species is needed, as well as specific environmental threats.

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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Importance

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aquarium: commercial

Mills, D. and G. Vevers 1989 The Tetra encyclopedia of freshwater tropical aquarium fishes. Tetra Press, New Jersey. 208 p. (Ref. 7020) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=7020&speccode=5247

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Wikipedia

Skunk loach

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The skunk loach, skunk botia or Hora's loach, Yasuhikotakia morleti (syn. Botia morleti, Botia horae, Botia modesta), is a species of botiid loach found in the Mekong River and various rivers in Thailand. The maximum size is 10 cm (4 in) and it occurs in water with parameters 26 - 30 ° C (79 to 86 ° F) temperature, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness 5.0 to 12.0. It feeds on live crustaceans, insects, snails and other invertebrates.

In the aquarium

Despite being seen frequently in the aquarium trade, it is a very aggressive fish and not suitable for community aquarium tanks. Other smaller fish and bottom feeders in the tank may be attacked or killed. Suitable tank mates for the skunk botia include larger cichlid species. Caves should be provided as hiding places.

See also

List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

Skunk loach on FishBase
"Yasuhikotakia morleti". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=687829. Retrieved 7 February 2007.
Riehl R, Baensch HA (1996) Aquarium Atlas. Vol 1. pg: 368.

^ Kottelat, M. (2012): Conspectus cobitidum: an inventory of the loaches of the world (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cobitoidei). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Suppl. No. 26: 1-199.

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