Sun merl

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Sun merl
Yasuhikotakia eos.jpg

Sun Merl ( Yasuhikotakia eos )

Systematics
without rank: Otophysa
Order : Carp-like (Cypriniformes)
Subordination : Loach- like (Cobitoidei)
Family : Clown loaches (Botiidae)
Genre : Yasuhikotakia
Type : Sun merl
Scientific name
Yasuhikotakia eos
( Taki , 1972)

The Sonnenschmerle ( Yasuhikotakia eos ( Gr . "Eos" = dawn), Syn. : Botia eos ) is a freshwater fish of the family of loaches (Botiidae) in Thailand and Laos in the river basin of the Mekong , the Chao Phraya River and of Mae Nam Mae Klong occurs. It does not appear to be common in its entire range.

features

The sun loach becomes nine to eleven centimeters long and has a typical, elongated but laterally flattened loach shape. Their coloration is variable, yellow-brown to brick-brown, with a darker back and a lighter belly. At the base of the caudal fin there is a broad blue-black spot. The fins are yellowish to orange, dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic fins have white edges and dark fin bases. Some specimens can also be almost entirely black. Each side of the lower lip is covered with clearly visible papillae. External gender differences are not known.

The higher number of split dorsal fin rays (10–11), along with body length and color, are the best way to distinguish them from the very similar green ( Y. lecontei ) (8) and blue loach ( Y. modesta ) (7–9).

Way of life

The sun merl inhabits areas characterized by boulders and rubble in fast-flowing sections of medium and large rivers. It feeds mainly on molluscs , and occasionally other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

use

It is occasionally offered (during the dry season) in the markets as food fish in its area of ​​distribution. It is of no great importance to the aquarium hobby. The few animals imported into Europe were caught as by-catch . Because of its high level of aggressiveness, it is less suitable as an ornamental fish .

literature

  • Günther Sterba : The world's freshwater fish. 2nd Edition. Urania, Leipzig / Jena / Berlin 1990, ISBN 3-332-00109-4 .
  • Axel Zarske: Botia eos. In: Claus Schaefer, Torsten Schröer (Hrsg.): The large lexicon of aquaristics. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8001-7497-9 , p. 162.

Web links

Commons : Yasuhikotakia eos  - collection of images, videos and audio files