Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 33 - 36. Has 8 branched dorsal rays; in life, a brown to yellowish body; a large blackish blotch on the caudal peduncle; dusky yellow fins (Ref. 27732); lacks a mid-dorsal stripe at all ages, young may have many narrow black bars; erect ethmoid spine perpendicular to snout when viewed from above; large mental lobe (Ref. 12693).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cypriniformes

Family: Botiidae

Genus: Yasuhikotakia

Species: Yasuhikotakia lecontei (Fowler, 1937)

Climate Zone

Biology

Apparently associated with fast waters and stony to rocky substrate (Ref. 27732). Found in medium to large-sized rivers (Ref. 12975). Occurs at the bottom of flowing rivers. Takes shelter in crevices and under bottom cover of rocks, tree limbs or other objects during the day and comes out to forage at dusk and night time. Feeds on mollusks and other benthic invertebrates. When young of the year return to the river in November and December, this species, along with B. helodes, B. morleti and B. modesta is often used as food for fish reared in cages. Commonly seen in the aquarium trade (Ref. 12693).

Habitat

demersal

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless