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Eyeless golden-line fish (Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus) — Cyprinidae

Eyeless golden-line fish

Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Eyeless golden-line fish (Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–1 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China

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Description

The Eyeless golden-line fish is a karst cavefish (Cyprinidae) from underground rivers and cave lakes of the karst caves of Yunnan in China. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a body adapted to perpetual darkness: pale or colourless, with strongly reduced or entirely absent eyes and sometimes a strange 'horn' on the head. As a bottom-dweller it feels through the lightless water with well-developed senses and snaps at small invertebrates and organic matter washed in from outside. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eyeless golden-line fish?

The Eyeless golden-line fish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Eyeless golden-line fish live?

The Eyeless golden-line fish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: China

How big does the Eyeless golden-line fish get?

The Eyeless golden-line fish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Eyeless golden-line fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eyeless golden-line fish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Eyeless golden-line fish (Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus) — Cyprinidae — 2
昆虫学liuye (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Eyeless golden-line fish sourced
Scientific name
Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Eyeless golden-line fish; Blind golden-line barbel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
1 verified
Natural range
Asia: China sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sinocyclocheilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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