| Family: |
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels) |
| Max. size: |
37 cm (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Asia: endemic to the Inle lake in Myanmar. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 34-34; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48-56; Anal soft rays: 46-60; Vertebrae: 79-80. Distinguished from all other Mastacembelus (sensu Travers) by substantially lower counts of dorsal and anal fin rays and vertebrae. The dorsal rays only 48-56 and anal fin rays only 46-60 (other Mastacembelus with dorsal and anal rays usually 70 or more). Vertebrae 79-80 (others species usually with 85 or more). The caudal fin rays count 21-22 is high (Mastacembelus alboguttatus, M. dayi and M. unicolor are the only other species with as many or more caudal fin rays. Snout very broad and short; jaws extending posteriorly fully two-thirds of distance to below anterior margin of eye; preorbital spine extending posteriorly to below margin of eye or somewhat beyond; preopercle without spines; body with a few large dark spots which may extend onto base of dorsal fin, fins otherwise plain (Ref. 39392). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 25 February 2011 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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