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Lefua nishimurai Katayama, 2024 |
| Family: | Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches) | |||
| Max. size: | 6.32 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Asia: Japan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Vertebrae: 39-43. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: rhomboid or triangular dark blotches on middle of caudal fin base absent; black longitudinal stripe on both body sides in mature males absent; dusky cross bars on dorsal area of body absent; dusky bar beside dorsal fin base absent; eyes located dorsally on head; narrow conspicuous longitudinal mark between base of outer rostral barbel and eye; small dorsal fin; small or bit diameter (6.3-11.2% of head length); small value of interorbital width relative to body width (28.1-39.4%); dark spots dorsally and ventrally on caudal fin base; small dark brown spots from snout to caudal peduncle; small dark spots on dorsal and caudal fins (approximately same size as eyes) (Ref. 133057). | |||
| Biology: | This species dwells in small mountain streams with soft bottom composed of sand and gravel. It hides under rocks and stones at the river edge or sediments, as well as under fallen leaves from the trees around the water body (Ref. 133057). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||