A loach from Western Ghats, India

[anihd]

Hello all,

I'm so very glad to have found out about this website! I've been exploring freshwater fishes of the Western Ghats (India) for quite a while, but I'm having a really hard time identifying a rather common loach of steady streams. And I was wondering if anyone could help me with its identity.

I think it may belong to the family Cobitidae, and genus Lepidocephalus. Any clue?

Thanks and regards,
Ani

[ch.koenig]

Hi Ani
remembers me of a pic by Heiko Bleher of a nemacheilus nilgiriensis of the Kaluarili river. but: lacks the red in the dorsal fin. could send you a pdf.
cheers Charles

[anihd]

Thank you Charles! It does indeed resemble a Nemacheilus sp. The N. nilgiriensis, which I think was recorded first in the Nilgiris, is a few hundred kilometers from here - here being closer to Mumbai in the Northern Western Ghats region.

I'm attaching another image of this Loach:

If possible, could you email me the pdf on anihd2009 (at) gmail (dot) com?

Thanking you once again,
Ani

[palaeodave]

What lovely looking fish. Please do post more pictures of them and other species (not just loaches!) from your local area.

[Shovelnose]

Prominent nasal barbels and truncate caudal suggest an Indoreonectes sp.??? I.everzadi has been reported from your region. A good pic can be seen here ; http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/Pictures ... at=species

[anihd]

Thank you Shovelnose! I will look into this.

Regards

[wingedskull]

I asked one ichtiologyst about this specimens. He also confirmed that they are Indoreonectes. At the moment only one: I.evezardi was described. He asked, if you can make better photos, side, frontal and from above - it would be great.

[Shovelnose]

At the moment only one: I.evezardi was described.

There is Indoreonectes keralensis as well.

[wingedskull]

Correction: (about second described) - descriptions are not equal with professional photos.

[Shovelnose]

I am sorry but I didn't quite get you.