Rheocles vatosoa Stiassny, Rodriguez & Loiselle, 2002
Rheocles vatosoa
photo by Loiselle, P.V.

Family:  Bedotiidae (Madagascar rainbowfishes)
Max. size:  7.92 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Madagascar.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-15; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 14-18; Vertebrae: 35-38. Different from other congeners by possessing a single interdorsal pterygiophore (versus 3). Distinguished from R. sikorae and R. wrightae by having a shorter upper jaw (32.3-43.7%HL vs. 46.2-59), and the absence of black pigmentation of genital papilla; from R. pellegrini and R. derhami by the full squamation of the nape and chest (vs. naked or partially scaled); from R. lateralis by a shorter caudal peduncle (49-79.8 %SL vs. 84.6-96); and, from R. alaotrensis by predorsal scale row implantation (irregular vs. single row), and longer anal fin base (24.1-30.4 %SL vs. 17.2-21.7 %SL) (Ref. 42716).
Biology:  Collected in the upper and middle reaches of the Lokoho river in the general vicinity of the town of Andapa. Found predominantly in clear streams over gravel or coarse sand bottoms. This streams are characterized by soft, slightly acidic to moderately alkaline water; total and carbonate hardness values < 1°DH and pH 6.8-7.5. Collected from both rapidly flowing rivers and small brooks. Stomach contents almost exclusively of macerated insect remains, most of terrestrial origin. A few remains of aquatic insect larvae suggesting a somewhat opportunistic feeding (Ref. 42716).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 23 June 2016 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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