Elongate bitterling
| Elongate bitterling | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Acheilognathus |
| Species: | A. elongatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Acheilognathus elongatus (Regan, 1908) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Acanthorhodeus elongatus | |
The elongate bitterling (Acheilognathus elongatus) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is found only in shallow water areas along the shores of Lake Dianchi in China.
It has a silvery-white body with an olive dorsal surface and a black stripe along the side. It grows to a maximum length of 7.0 centimetres (2.8 in).
The fish is currently listed as critically endangered, because there have been no records since the 1980s and its tiny range of 58 km2 (22 sq mi) within Lake Dianchi is threatened due to water pollution, which causes the destruction of its bivalves, which are essential for hatching its eggs. Likewise, artificial dykes and the enclosing of lakes for farmland is causing degradation of its habitat.
References
- ↑ X.-Y. Chen & J. Yang (2008). "Acheilognathus elongatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved April 22, 2012.