Synonyms:

Pseudecheneis intermedius Chu, 1982

junior synonym

Vernacular names:

平吻益摟

Mandarin

爬石头鱼

Hani dialect (southern Yunnan, China)

Etymology:

The generic name ‘pseudecheneis’ is a compound of three Greek words; ‘pseudes’: false, ‘echein’: to hold, ‘nays’: ship, an allusion to the ability to adhere to sth., a false remora; gender: feminine.

The specific epithet ‘paviei’ is a dedication name to the collector of the type specimen Mr. Pavie; a noun in apposition.

Size / Weight:

69-132 mm SL, 20 ex., specimen deposited in SWFC, Nanxihe River, Red River basin, Pinbian County, Yunnan Province, China (Zhou, Li & Yang, 2008).

50-63 mm SL, 11 ex., Dongbao Town, Jingdong County, Red River basin, Yunnan Province, China (Chu & Mo in Chu, Zheng, Dai et al., 1999).

83.4 mm SL, EPC 0619, Mengyejiang, Red River basin, Yunnan Province, China (ME, 2010-05-06).

Diagnosis:

Thoracic adhesive apparatus with 9-13 transverse lamellae; snout wide and flat, the ratio of snout width at mouth corner to distance between pectoral fin base larger than 0.75; caudal peduncle depth 29.4-46.7% in caudal peduncle length, 6.1-9.3% SL; caudal fin with isolated central yellow blotch, blotch not interconnected with marginal markings; body covered with tubercles, and tubercle density at caudal peduncle desner than at occipital; outer teeth of premaxillary tooth band 6 or 8 (acc Zhou, Li & Yang, 2008, modified).

Sex differentiation:

No sexual dichromatism and dimorphism.

Distribution:

The type specimen (MNHN 1892-0049) of P. paviei is described from hillstreams close Lai Châu, Red River basin, close to the border with China, northern Vietnam (Vaillant, 1892).

The terra typica of P. intermedius is referenced as Babianjiang River, a tributary to Lixianjiang River, Red River basin, Jingdong County, Yunnan Province, China (Chu, 1982).

In the riffle section of EW-CN 66-09 (Mengyejiang River 勐野江, tributary to Lixianjiang River李仙江, Red River 红河 basin, Yunnan Province, China) syntop with at least two Glyptothorax spp. For biotope details see S. callichromus (ME, 2009-12-30, 2010-01-06).

Red River basin in Yunnan Province, China and northern Vietnam; in riffles among smooth surfaced rocks and boulders featuring clear, well oxygenated water with swift current.

Ecology:

Singly, hiding among and beneath rocks; using adhesive apparatus to withstand current when foraging on aquatic insect larvae, fish fry. Seems to sense food sources, slowly wriggling to approach feeding place, once grabbed food rapidly (with enormous acceleration) disappearing in shelter.

Carnivorous with a tendency to insectivorousity.

Conservation status:

IUCN Red List not evaluated.

Aquarium maintenance:

Well aerated river setup with plenty of hiding spaces. Rocks with smooth surface are ideal, do not like vast sandy areas, which it may avoids; better are flat pebbles from rivers.

Overwintering at temperatures down to 15 ˚C are optimal; summer temperatures may range at 24 ˚C.

Easy feeder with life food or frozen red moskito larvae, Artemia; easy to keep.

Remarks:

Chu & Mo and Zhou & Zhou listed P. intermedius as a valid species (Chu & Mo in Chu, Zheng, Dai et al., 1999; Zhou & Zhou, 2005).