2013/09/10
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Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
General
Conservation
Distribution
Photo Gallery
References
General Information
Pseudogastromyzon myersi
Sucker-belly loach
Animal Group:
Freshwater Fish
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Cypriniformes
Family:
Balitoridae
Description:
The Sucker-belly Loach is a very common freshwater fish found in the upper reaches of local streams. Like other species of Balitoridae, the Sucker-belly Loach has an elongated body with a depressed head and a ventral mouth. The broad pectoral and pelvic fins are horizontally expanded to form a somewhat sucker-like adhesive disc. This adhesive disc allows the fish to attach onto the surface of stones and pebbles in fast-flowing streams. The body of the fish is brownish yellow and characterized by 9 to 10 blackish brown blotches on its back and irregularly distributed dark brown spots on the sides.
Conservation Status
AFCD Assessment
Common
Distribution
Distribution in Hong Kong
Widely distributed in reservoir catchments and upland streams.
Global Distribution
Southern China.
Photo Gallery
References
More on Freshwater Fish in HK
Lam, K. S. (2002).
Freshwater Fish in Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.
Lee, V. L. F., Lam, S. K. S., Ng, F. K. Y., Chan, T. K. T. and Young, M. L. C. (2004).
Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong
Man, S.H. and Hodgkiss, I.J. (1981).
Hong Kong Freshwater Fishes.
The Urban Council, Hong Kong.
