Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cobitidae
Genus:	Lepidocephalichthys
Species:	L. jonklaasi
Binomial name
Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi (Deraniyagala, 1956)
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Synonyms
Lepidocephalichthys thermalis jonklaasi

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The Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi, also known as the Jonklaas's loach or spotted loach, is a special fish found only in the wet parts of Sri Lanka. It was first discovered in the Wilpita area in 1952. This fish is now known to live in about 12 different places in Sri Lanka's wet zone. These places include Beraliya, Dombagaskandha, and Kanneliya.

The Jonklaas's loach lives at many different heights above sea level. Because it lives in only a few places and its home is in danger, the Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi is listed as an Endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. Sadly, this fish has already vanished from some of the places where it used to live. This is mainly because its habitat is being destroyed and broken up.

This fish was named after Rodney Jonklaas (1925–1989). He was a famous diver from Sri Lanka, known for his underwater photography. He also managed a zoo.

About the Jonklaas's Loach

Fish in the Lepidocephalichthys group have a sharp, movable spine on their cheeks. This spine can be quite sharp, but it is not poisonous or harmful. These fish have a special way to breathe. They can swallow air, which helps them get oxygen from their intestines into their blood.

Unlike some other fish, they do not blow the air out through their mouth or gills. Instead, they release it through their rear end. This special ability helps them live even in water that does not have much oxygen. However, in Sri Lanka, they usually live in places with good water quality.

Loaches are small fish that look a bit like eels or worms. They often have pretty colors. They have small scales and three pairs of whiskers, called barbells, around their mouth. Adult males of many species have special fins. We do not know much about how these fish reproduce. Only a few types of loaches have been bred in aquariums.

How it's Different

Another type of loach, Lepidocephalichthys thermalis, also lives in Sri Lanka. However, the L. jonklaasi and L. thermalis are not very closely related. You can easily tell them apart by their body shape, how big they are, their colors, and how males and females look different.

The L. jonklaasi has a unique color pattern. Its sides are yellow and get darker on top. It has many large, dark spots that are arranged in a messy way.

Adult L. jonklaasi are also much longer than L. thermalis. The L. jonklaasi has a strong, tube-shaped body and a special color pattern. This makes it easy to tell apart from L. thermalis.

Some scientists noticed that male L. jonklaasi have a special last fin ray on their pectoral fins. This ray is hard like bone. It is only found in males, so it helps tell males from females.

Reproduction

Scientists have not yet seen the Jonklaas's loach reproduce. This is true for both fish living in the wild and those kept in aquariums.

Habitat

We do not know much about the daily life of this fish. It has been found in shallow streams that flow through thick forests. These streams often have lots of fallen leaves and soft mud at the bottom. The water in these streams moves very slowly.

The fish are usually hidden under the leaves and debris in the water. You cannot easily see them from the surface.

Distribution

The L. jonklaasi was first described in 1952. It was found in the Wilpita Estate near Akuressa, in the southern wet zone of Sri Lanka. This area is about 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level. Since then, it has been found in a few more places.

There are only 12 known places where this fish lives today. These locations range from about 350 feet (107 meters) to 1000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. They are all in the southwestern wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Because its habitat is shrinking, this fish is in danger of becoming extinct. Protecting and restoring its home is very important to help this unique fish survive for a long time.

Conservation Status

The Jonklaas's loach is listed as an Endangered species in Sri Lanka. This means it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. It has been on the endangered list since at least 1999.

Many things are causing this fish to be endangered. These problems are often connected. One big problem is habitat loss. Sri Lanka's forests have shrunk a lot over the years. This is due to more people and changes in how land is used.

When forests are cut down, it can cause a lot of mud and dirt to wash into streams and rivers. This is also made worse by farming methods and gem mining. The Jonklaas's loach needs shade from trees, and without it, their homes become less suitable. To save this special fish, we need to protect its habitat and reduce these threats.

Utility

The Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi is too rare to be caught and sold as an aquarium fish. Other similar-looking loaches, like L. thermalis, are more commonly traded.