Flat Headed Loach

Distinguished from other species by having the following characters: head flat at dorsum; eyes present; dorsal fin origin behind the pelvic-fin origin; dorsal-fin base and caudal-fin base with black pigment; caudal fin rounded; body with minute scales except for head; incomplete lateral line with 16-18 pores; cephalic lateral-line system with 8 supraorbital, 3+10 infraorbital pores; sexual dimorphic, males with the genital papilla located immediately posterior to anus, gonad opens at end of fleshy prominence; 4+31~32 vertebrae (Ref. 75196).Description: D iii,7; A iii,5; P i+10; V i+6 (Ref. 75196).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 35 - 36

Inhabits near the bottom of clear, fast-flowing streams. Feeds on benthic organisms and detritus.

Inhabits near the bottom of clear, fast-flowing streams. Feeds on benthic organisms and detritus (Ref. 5258).

Flat-headed loach (Oreonectes platycephalus) is a species of cyprinid fish. It is found in fast-flowing streams in southern China (including Hong Kong) and northern Vietnam. It grows to 10 cm (3.9 in) total length.