Threatened fishes of the world: Leptobotia elongata Bleeker, 1870 (Bottiinae)

Abstract

Common name: Elongate loach (English). Conservation status: “High vulnerability” in China (China red data book) (Cheung et al. 2005); “Endangered” in China Red Data book of Endangered Animals-Pisces (Yue and Chen 1998). Identification: A big freshwater and demersal fish in Bottiinae (maximum weight 3 kg and length 50 cm) (Nichols 1943; Liang and Hu 2001), slightly compressed body, tapering and compressed head, short snout, downturned mouth with horse’s hoof-shaped lips, barbels 3 pairs; fine scale fish; pectoral and pelvic fins short and bases with long skin folds. D. IV/8, A: III/5, P. I/12–13, V. I/8. Coloration: Body lightly grayish brown and with vertical or irregular band-like stripes of deeply brown; yellowish brown on head sides (Wang 1998). Figure from Lin and Zheng (2003). Distribution: Only distributed naturally in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China. Habit and ecology: It is a cryptic benthic fish and prefers to hide under rocks and macrophytes beds at day time, and moves around at night. As a carnivorous species, it feeds mainly on small fishes and aquatic invertebrates, such as small fishes, small shrimp and Copepoda community. Reproduction: Matures at 4–6 years (Liang and Hu 2001) and is thought to be a reproductively fluvial fish. Mature adults migrate upstream to breed in the shallow beaches and fast currents in late February, spawn from March to May and the roe is viscous and sticks to rocks. Threats: Dramatic population declines in recent decades because of over-fishing, dam construction, water pollution and other anthropogenic impacts (Liang et al. 2004). Conservation actions: Hatchery programs and culture techniques by several national institutes and private agencies have released hatchery reared juveniles into natural river systems. Conservation recommendation: Actions should be taken to improve water quality. Improve hatchery success rate and the survival from artificial propagation; on-site conservation and restriction of fishing. Environ Biol Fish (2010) 87:295–296 DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9582-4