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Kengtung loach (Schistura kengtungensis) — Nemacheilidae

Kengtung loach

Schistura kengtungensis
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Kengtung loach (Schistura kengtungensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand

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Description

The Kengtung loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate, brown-banded body with small barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives among gravel and stones of oxygen-rich streams and rivers and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kengtung loach?

The Kengtung loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Kengtung loach live?

The Kengtung loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand

How big does the Kengtung loach get?

The Kengtung loach grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Kengtung loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Kengtung loach 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

Kengtung loach (Schistura kengtungensis) — Nemacheilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Fishyman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Kengtung loach sourced
Scientific name
Schistura kengtungensis
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
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 Schistura

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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