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Waterfall cave loach (Nemacheilus troglocataractus) — Nemacheilidae

Waterfall cave loach

Nemacheilus troglocataractus
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Waterfall cave loach (Nemacheilus troglocataractus) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Waterfall cave loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of the caves of Thailand in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate, brown-speckled 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 Waterfall cave loach?

The Waterfall cave loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Waterfall cave loach live?

The Waterfall cave loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Waterfall cave loach get?

The Waterfall cave loach grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Waterfall cave loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Waterfall cave loach is harmless to humans.

Is the Waterfall cave loach edible?

Yes, the Waterfall cave loach is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Waterval-grotbermpje sourced
English name
Waterfall cave loach sourced
Scientific name
Nemacheilus troglocataractus
Family
Nemacheilidae
Other names
Blind cave loach sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Nemacheilus

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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