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Kapuas loach (Nemacheilus kapuasensis) — Nemacheilidae

Kapuas loach

Nemacheilus kapuasensis
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Kapuas loach (Nemacheilus kapuasensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 71 cm.

Length
71 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

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Description

The Kapuas loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate, brown-speckled body with small barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives among gravel and stones of clear streams and rivers and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kapuas loach?

The Kapuas loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Kapuas loach live?

The Kapuas loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

How big does the Kapuas loach get?

The Kapuas loach grows to a maximum of about 71 cm.

Is the Kapuas loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Kapuas loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Kapuas loach sourced
Scientific name
Nemacheilus kapuasensis
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
71.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nemacheilus

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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