Pungitius polyakovi Shedko, Shedko & Pietsch 2005

This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following set of characters: membranes of dorsal-fin spines darkly pigmented (in specimens greater than 17 mm SL); spawning males with lower part of head and abdomen darkly pigmented; membranes of dorsal-fin spines black; membranes of pelvic-fin spine blue and white; pelvic-fin spine dark with lightly pigmented tip; anal-fin spine dark at base, blue and white distally; numerous small black dots on membranes between rays of dorsal and anal fins, resulting in an overall dark-grey coloration; no anteroventral branch of ectocoracoid (ectocoracoids not extending beneath junction of cleithra); no ascending branch on pelvic skeleton; modal number of dorsal-fin spines 10; presence of caudal peduncle keel (4-6 scutes), no lateral scutes on trunk absent; pelvic-fin spine with smooth lateral margins; posterior margin of caudal fin rounded (Ref. 86731).

Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205).

Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205).