Home · Nemacheilidae · Zhengbaoshan cave loach
Zhengbaoshan cave loach (Heminoemacheilus zhengbaoshani) — Nemacheilidae

Zhengbaoshan cave loach

Heminoemacheilus zhengbaoshani
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Zhengbaoshan cave loach (Heminoemacheilus zhengbaoshani) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 8 cm.

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

Want the complete picture on the Zhengbaoshan cave loach?

Get the app

Description

The Zhengbaoshan cave loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from underground rivers and caves of the karst region of Guangxi in southern China. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender body adapted to perpetual darkness: pale and with strongly reduced eyes. As a bottom-dweller it feels through the lightless water with barbels and snaps at small invertebrates and organic matter washed in from outside. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zhengbaoshan cave loach?

The Zhengbaoshan cave loach has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Zhengbaoshan cave loach live?

The Zhengbaoshan cave loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China

How big does the Zhengbaoshan cave loach get?

The Zhengbaoshan cave loach grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Zhengbaoshan cave loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Zhengbaoshan cave 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Zhengbaoshan cave loach?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Zhengbaoshan cave loach is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Zhengbaoshan cave loach sourced
Scientific name
Heminoemacheilus zhengbaoshani
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

More from the family Nemacheilidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Zhengbaoshan cave loach?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Zhengbaoshan cave loach is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Zhengbaoshan cave loach? Get the app