Systomus laticeps Plamoottil 2016

Systomus laticeps is distinguished from all its congeners in having the following characters: elongated, round and wide body; small and wide head; hyaline fins; a prominent hump present on the post occipital region, convex post dorsal region, exceptionally soft and flexible operculum and body scales, a distinct thin median fontanel on the dorsal surface of head in between eyes and occiput; lateral line indistinct in the anterior and posterior regions; it is convex above anal fin origin; inter-radial membrane of anal fin fleshy, thick and prominent; and 27 lateral line scales and 9 predorsal scales (Ref. 112401)..

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analsoft rays: 8

Inhabits a small freshwater stream, formed by the confluence of certain branches of rivers flowing through the low level regions of Pathanamthitta District. This water body is 30- 37 m wide and

Systomus laticeps is a species of cyprinid fish which was described in 2016 from specimens taken in Kerala, southern India. It is found in single freshwater stream at Thiruvalla in the Pathanamthitta District where a confluence of rivers flowing through low-lying areas creates this fishes habitat. The stream is 1-2m deep in the summer monsoon and 37 cm across, it has muddy substrates and has a dense growth of emergent vegetation.