Styxichthys gejiuensis

Gejiu blind loach
Critically endangered
Critically endangered, possibly extinct (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Division: Teleostei
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Nemacheilidae
Genus: Styxichthys
Species:
S. gejiuensis
Binomial name
Styxichthys gejiuensis
Synonyms
  • Nemacheilus gejiuensis Chu & Chen, 1979
  • Triplophysa gejiuensis (Chu & Chen, 1979)

Styxichthys gejiuensis, the Gejiu blind loach, is a species of stone loach endemic to China. It is a troglomorphic fish whose eyes have degenerated into shallow concave pits. It found in a subterranean river 400 m (1,300 ft) underground in Gejiu, Yunnan.

Threats

The fish is believed to occupy an area of only 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi). This area is adjacent to active tin mine workings which have destroyed the quality of the habitat. As no specimens have been collected since its initial description in 1979, the IUCN consider that it maybe extinct.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Shao, W.; Zhou, J.; Zhao, Y. (2024). "Triplophysa gejiuensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T22201A2781875. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T22201A2781875.en. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Triplophysa gejiuensis". FishBase. April 2013 version.