Japanese Eight Barbel Loach (Lefua echigonia), first described by Jordan & Richardson, 1907 is a small fish in the family Nemacheilidae (order Cypriniformes). Adults typically reach 7.10 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Temperate waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Nemacheilidae kept in the hobby.
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6. Body with tiny blackish-brown pots. No black longitudinal band on body of male.: elongated; Cross section: circular.
Behavioural data for Japanese Eight Barbel Loach is currently being reviewed.
Freshwater; demersal. Temperate
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Hotoke Loach · Japanese Eight Barbel Loach · Japanese eight barbeled loach |
| 🌍CES | mřenka echigonská |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Hotoke-dojou · Hotokedojo · ホトケドジョウ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Японский восьмиусый голец |
The following diseases are known to affect Japanese Eight Barbel Loach.
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
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