Rheocles
| Rheocles | ||||||||||||
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Rheocles alaotrensis |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Rheocles | ||||||||||||
| Jordan & Hubbs , 1919 |
Rheocles is a genus of freshwater fish thatis endemic to the eastern part of Madagascar .
features
The bodies are more compact with shorter fins compared to the sister genus Bedotia . The elongated body is covered with small and few shiny flakes. The caudal fin is usually deeply cut. The maximum total length can be 18 centimeters, but most species remain significantly smaller.
Way of life
The fish colonize the higher, cooler sections of flowing waters in the rainforest. The rivers are clear with soft, slightly acidic, strong flowing, oxygen-rich water. There are few aquatic plants and the water temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius. Some species occur sympatric . All species feed mainly on carnivore . Reproduction is similar to Bedotia .
Danger
The larger species are fished by the local population. Due to habitat destruction and overfishing, they have already become extinct in some areas, such as Lake Alaotra . Rheocles alaotrensis , however, still occurs in several river systems, while other species, such as Rheocles wrightae , are endangered due to their very limited range. Presumably, competition from imported gambus is also a serious threat.
Systematics
The following species are described in the genus Rheocles :
- Rheocles alaotrensis ( Pellegrin , 1914)
- Rheocles derhami Stiassny & Rodriguez, 2001
- Rheocles lateralis Stiassny & Reinthal, 1992
- Rheocles pellegrini (Nichols & La Monte, 1931)
- Rheocles sikorae (Sauvage, 1891) , type species
- Rheocles vatosoa Stiassny, Rodriguez & Loiselle, 2002
- Rheocles wrightae Stiassny, 1990
Web links
- Rheocles on Fishbase.org (English)
swell
- Harro Hieronimus: Rainbow Fish and Kindred Families . Aqualog, Mörfelden-Walldorf 2002, ISBN 3-931702-80-4 , p. 17-18 .