Scientific Name: Paracanthocobitis botia (Hamilton, 1822)
Synonym: Nemacheilus botia, Nemachilus botia, Acanthocobitis botia (Currently unaccepted)
English Name: Mottled loach
Local/Bangla Name: Katuri puiya (কাটুরি পুইয়া), Gutum (গুতুম), Puiya (পুইয়া)
Photo: Balaram Mahalder
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Nemacheilidae
Description:
It has slender body that is cylindrical anteriorly and compressed posteriorly. Dorsal profile slightly arched with flatended ventral profile. Eyes are small. Mouth crescentic, and surrounded by fleshy lips. Three pairs of barbels are present. Dorsal fin inserted ahead of the pelvic fin. Edge of the dorsal fin straight, nearly as long as the head, reaching below the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin is slightly emarginate. Lateral line usually complete. Body color: light olive to yellowish-orange with 10-14 blackish irregular bands descending from the back and ending in dark. Fin formula: D 2/11; P₁ 10; P₂ 1/7; A 1/5
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Inhabits in clear water, swift flowing streams with rocks, pebbles and sand.
Environment:
Freshwater (Demersal)
References:
Rahman AKA (2005) Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. 2nd ed. Zool. Soc. Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xviii + 394 pp.
Siddiqui KU, Islam MA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hasan MA, Khondker M and Rahman MM (eds.) (2007) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol. 23. Freshwater Fishes. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. 300+xxxi. pp.
DoF Bangladesh (2023) Album: Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh, Dhaka. 200 pp.
