Speolabeo musaei (Kottelat & Steiner 2011)

In addition to the absence of eyes and whitish color due to lack of pigmentation which are common characters to many hypogean fishes, Speolabeo musaei is distinguished from all species of Bangana, Altigena and 'B.' lemassoni-group by the following characters: dorsal fin with only 7-8½ branched rays (vs. 10-12½); pelvic-fin origin at the vertical between the first unbranched and first branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. at the vertical through 3rd to 6th branched rays); absence of tubercles on the snout (vs. presence of tubercles); edge of the upper jaw is distinct, very narrow, adnate to the upper lip and separated from it by a narrow and very shallow furrow (vs. upper jaw entirely enclosed in upper lip); distal edge of the dorsal fin is straight or slightly concave (vs. conspicuously concave in species of Altigena and Bangana); 35-37 scales on lateral line (vs. 40-47 in the 'B.' lemassoni-group, 40-43 in Bangana); and postlabial groove is confined in the corner of the mouth (vs. complete in Altigena, medially interrupted in Bangana and the 'B.' lemassoni-group) (Ref. 116545).

Has been observed only in residual pools in caves. Specimens were free swimming, rather close to the surface, isolated, swimming deeper when disturbed, but not seeking shelter. This is probably not their primary habitat but the only one where they are accessible to humans (Ref. 86533).

Found in caves (Ref. 86533).

Speolabeo musaei is a species of cyprinid cavefish endemic to the Xe Bang Fai River in Laos. It is the only species in the genus Speolabeo, but it was formerly included in Bangana.