Akysis vespa Ng & Kottelat 2004

Distinguished from its congeners in the Akysis variegatus species group (except for A. pictus, A. prashadi and A. varius) in having no serration on the posterior edge of the pectoral spines. Differs from A. varius in possessing a gently forked (vs. truncate) caudal fin, from A. pictus in having a larger eye (12-16% HL vs. 8-10) and a smaller adipose fin (17.6-21.1% SL vs. 22.0-23.6) and from A. prashadi in having a larger eye (12-16% HL vs. 8-12) and a longer caudal peduncle (19.4-23.3% SL vs. 16.5-18.4) (Ref. 55399).Description: Dorsal fin with I,4,i, I,5 rays ; Anal fin with iii,4,i, iii,6, iii,6,i, iv,4,i, iv,5, iv,5,i rays; Pectoral fin with I,6,i, I,7, I,7,i rays; Pelvic fin with i,5 rays (Ref. 55399).

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Vertebrae: 31 - 32

Occurs in clear, fast-flowing stream with a gravelly bottom (Ref. 55399).

Akysis vespa is a species of fish in the family Akysidae, the stream catfishes. It is endemic to Burma, where it occurs in the Ataran River drainage. This species was described to science in 2004.

This fish reaches up to about 3.1 centimeters in maximum length. The species name vespa ("wasp") refers to its pattern of yellow-orange and brown stripes and the sting it can inflict with its spines.

Little is known about the biology of the species. It is sometimes collected for ornamental use in aquaria.