Threatened fishes of the world: Odontobutis yaluensis Wu, Wu & Xie, 1993 (Odontobutidae)

Abstract

Common name: Yalu River sleeper goby. Conservation status: Vulnerable—China Species Red List (Wang and Xie 2004). Identification: D. VI–VIII; I-8–10; A. I-6– 8; P. 15–16; V. I-5. Lateral scales 43–53, transverse scales 17–22, predorsal scales 21–26. Gill rakers 1– 3+5–8. Interorbital width greater than eye diameter. The short sensory canal (belonging to oculoscapular sensory canal system) posterior to eye, no preopercular canals. Predorsal scales extend forward to top of head between eyes. Scales in occipital region arranged in concentric circles or in a radial pattern (Wu et al. 1993). Living fish have a dark brown body, with an irregular black sawtooth band running along lateral surface. Distribution: Odontobutis yaluensis has only been found in certain tributaries of the Liaohe River and the Yalu River, and short rivers near the eastern shore of the Liaodong Peninsula in Northeast China. Abundance: Not critically evaluated, but declining. Habitat and ecology: Odontobutis yaluensis is characteristically found in shallow waters of streams and rivers, especially in zones where substrata consist of mixed sand, small stones and aquatic plants (Wu 2008). The most suitable temperature range is 23–27° C, and pH 6.5–8.5 (Jiang et al. 2007). Reproduction: Maturity is reached at 1 year. Spawning typically peaks in between April and June. Males “nest” under the shelter of rocks. Females typically deposit adhesive eggs on the ceiling of the rocky shelter. Males guard nests until eggs hatch (Wang et al. 2008). Threats: Threats have not been fully evaluated, but overfishing Environ Biol Fish (2010) 88:261–262 DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9638-5