Acrossocheilus monticola (GÜNTHER, 1888)

SynonymsTop ↑

Crossochilus monticola Günther, 1888

Etymology

Acrossocheilus: from the Greek a- (Gr. ἀ-), meaning ‘without’, krossós (Gr. κροσσός), meaning ‘fringe, tassel’, and cheílos (Gr. χείλος), meaning ‘lip’, in reference to the smooth upper lip in members of this genus.

monticola: from the Latin montis, meaning ‘mountain’, and -cola, meaning ‘dweller or inhabitant’, in reference to this species’ type locality comprising a mountain stream.

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution

Apparently endemic to the upper Yangtze River basin, China.

Type locality is ‘mountain-stream fiowing into the Ichang gorge of the Yangtsze River’.

Maximum Standard Length

100 – 150 mm.

Diet

Wild fish are known to feed on small, benthic invertebrates and graze biofilm from rocks and other solid surfaces.

NotesTop ↑

The genus Acrossocheilus is restricted to southern China, northern Vietnam and northern Laos. It can be distinguished from related genera by the following combination of characters: rostral fold present; lips fleshy and continuous around corners of mouth; lower lip with a median interruption; mouth inferior; horny sheath on lower jaw; two pairs of barbels; last simple ray of dorsal fin osseous with a serrated or smooth posterior margin.

Members of the genus are characterised by possessing a particular number of dark vertical bar on each flank, and A. monticola uniquely possesses seven or eight bars, each of which is 1–3 scales wide.

References

1. Günther, A., 1888 - Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 6) v. 1 (no. 6): 429-435
   Contribution to our knowledge of the fishes of the Yangtsze-Kiang.
2. Lan, Z.-J., B.-P. Chan and J. Zhao, 2014 - Zoological Systematics 39(3): 433-441
   Acrossocheilus multistriatus, a new species of barbine fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Zhujiang River basin, south China.
3. Yuan, L.-Y., Z.-Q. Wu and E. Zhang, 2006 - Journal of Fish Biology 68 (Supplement B): 163-173
   Acrossocheilus spinifer, a new species of barred cyprinid from south China (Pisces: Teleostei).