Erethistoides cavatura Ng & Edds, 2005

Family:  Sisoridae (Sisorid catfishes), subfamily: Sisorinae
Max. size:  3.32 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 8 - 8
Distribution:  Asia: Nepal.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Vertebrae: 29-30. Distinguished from congeners in having larger nostrils (the length of the narial complex 77-90% of interorbital width vs. 42-75). Both E. ascita and E. cavatura differ from E. montana and E. pipri in having a longer caudal peduncle (19.3-22.5% SL vs. 14.4-17.3%). Both species differ further from E. montana in having a more slender body (8.6-10.5% SL vs. 10.6-11.4) and E. sicula by the absence (vs. presence) of a slight median depression on the lower lip margin. E. cavatura can be further distinguished from E. ascita in having a larger eye (17.7-20.9% HL vs. 13.2-17.6), the presence of rounded (vs. elongate and flattened plaque-like) tubercles on the head and body, and the serrations on the anterior edge of the pectoral spine more anteriorly (vs. sideways) directed and diverging at the middle (vs. distal quarter, 6-11 proximalmost serrations proximally directed vs. 12-17 (Ref. 55978).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow (approximately 10-20 cm) gravel and pebble riffles of streams and rivers with predominantly sandy bottoms, in moderate to fast current (Ref. 55978). Found in clear to turbid waters (Ref. 55978).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 December 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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