| Triplophysa siluroides | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Nemacheilidae |
| Genus: | Triplophysa |
| Species: | T. siluroides |
| Binomial name | |
| Triplophysa siluroides (Herzenstein, 1888) | |
Triplophysa siluroides is a large species of stone loach, which is endemic to the upper parts of the Yellow River basin in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan. [1] [2]
T. siluroides reaches up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) in standard length and 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in weight, [3] making it the largest species in its family. [4] It is a benthic predator that feeds on small fish and invertebrates. [5]
The species is known to have a large head depressed with 3 barbel pairs and a caudal fin emarginate. The upper body is slightly longer, as for the color the body is of yellowish brown color with brown circles accompanies by cloudy patterns on the sides. [6]
The fish mostly inhabits high elevation levels above the seas levels. Though it is a carnivorous fish it is deemed harmless to humans. [7]
An important food fish, [8] it has seriously declined and is now considered vulnerable according to China's Red List. [1] [2] The species has been bred and raised in captivity. [9]