Scientific name: Schistura jarutanini (Kottelat, 1990 )
Common name: None known
Synonyms: None
Distribution: Amphoe Sri Sawat, Tham Ba Dan in the Mae Nam Kwae Yai basin in western Thailand
Sexual Dimorphism: Unknown
Maximum size: 3 inches (8cm)
Similar to: Other Schistura Species
Care: A well-filtered aquarium with lots of hiding places and sand substrate.
Feeding: Probably would accept most aquarium foods offered - sinking catfish pellets, flake, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia etc.
Water parameters: pH: 6-7.5 Hardness: Medium Max dh: 12
Temperature: 70ºF to 79ºF (21-26°C)
Breeding: None reported in aquarium.
Notes: Schistura jarutanini is one of a few cave dwelling Loach species. It has very reduced or absent eyes, so is effectively blind. However, it is pigmented unlike most other cave-dwelling fish. As with most other loaches it prefers well-oxygenated water.
Due to its very limited location it is at risk from collection for aquaria so it is not recommended that it be considered for such.
Blind cave loaches are known to have been imported into North America. However, it is unlikely they were this species. Its inclusion here is mainly out of interest.
Caption: Schistura jarutanini
Credit: Nonn Panitvong