Spotted algae eater

Gyrinocheilus pennocki

FAMILY

Gyrinocheilidae

TAXONOMY

Gyrinocheilops pennocki Fowler, 1937, Siam.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

Khmer: Trey smok; Laotian: Ko, pa wa.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Standard length 11 in (28.0 cm). They are characterized by having large tubercles on sides of head (in larger specimens), 10 branched dorsal rays, with all fins strongly spotted, and a dark spot just behind the spiracle. Brownish coloration, darker dorsally. They have approximately 12 diffused, vertical, dark stripes laterally.

DISTRIBUTION

Mekong basin.

HABITAT

Solid surfaces of the bottom of fast-moving waters.

BEHAVIOR

No information is available.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Feeds mostly on algae, but occasionally on aquatic plants, zooplankton, and small invertebrates.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

No information is available.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Large individuals are occasionally sold in fish markets.