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ow do you get your tongue around the name of this months (July 2024) factsheet, namely Xiurenbagrus xiurenensis ?. Well "Zee-yoo-ren-bagrus" is the genus name and "zee-yoo-ren-en-sis" is your species name.

This member of the Amblycipitidae family from the Xiuren River, Pearl River drainage has three species in this genera, namely our factsheet of the month, Xiurenbagrus dorsalis Xiu, Yang & Zheng, 2014 from Guangxi China, and Xiurenbagrus gigas Zhao, Lan & Zhang, 2004 from Hongshuihe River China, all from the Pearl river basin. All have been in the Liobagrus genus at some point and the differences being because of the presence of two patches of vomerine teeth, lack of deep grooves along shafts of dorsal and pectoral fin spines, relatively acute snout, and short barbels. These characteristic is not found in any other species of Amblycipitidae except those of the genus Xiurenbagrus.

  Xiurenbagrus xiurenensis

The family Amblycipitidae has long been considered to contain only two genera Amblyceps and Liobagrus Hora (1933). In the course of a phylogenetic revision of the family, Chen (1994) discovered that Liobagrus could not be supported as monophyletic with the inclusion of Liobagrus xiurenensis Yue (1981). Accordingly, in this paper, we redescribe this species and establish for it a new genus, Xiurenbagrus. Further, phylogenetic characterisations of the amblycipitid genera and their phylogenetic interrelationships are presented (from Chen, X., & Lundberg, J. G. 1995).

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Liobagrus xiurenensis

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Asia: China, Zhujiang River.

8.0cm (3¼ins)

18-22°C (63-71°F)

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 6; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 41 - 44. Elongated body, round-shaped in the front, gradually flat in the back, covered by membrane. Short dorsal fin; very small eyes, covered by skin membrane. Dorsal-fin rays i,6; Anal-fin rays vi,8 to vi,11; Pectoral-fin rays i,6 to i,7; Pelvic-fin rays i,6.

They are territorial, so avoid keeping multiple males together. Compatible tankmates include peaceful community fish like Danios, Barbs, and small Tetras. They are nocturnal, so provide hiding spots during the day. Use fine sand or smooth gravel as the substrate. Include caves, driftwood, and rocks for hiding and exploration. Live plants can enhance the environment.

Not recorded.

Not recorded

They primarily feed on small aquatic organisms found in its natural habitat. These may include insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates. Their elongated bodies and unique adaptations make them well-suited for foraging near the bottom of freshwater environments. Feed them a varied diet of high-quality pellets, frozen foods (such as bloodworms), and live or freeze-dried options. They are omnivorous, so include both plant-based and protein-rich foods.

Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Barbels: Whisker-like structure on the heads of most catfish.
Benthic: Bottom dwellers.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Monophyletic: The term monophyly, or monophyletic, derives from the two Ancient Greek words µóvoç (mónos), meaning "alone, only, unique", (phûlon), meaning "genus, species", and refers to the fact that a monophyletic group includes organisms (e.g., genera, species) consisting of all the descendants of a unique common ancestor.
Pectoral: The paired fins just behind the head.
Pelvic fins: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins. (also referred to as ventrals).
Phylogenetic: The study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities – often species, individuals or genes (which may be referred to as taxa).

Xiurenbagrus: Named for Mister Ning Xiuren, Hangzhou, Institute of Oceanography; oceanographer and phytoplankton specialist.
xiurenensis: leuco-, white; rhynchus, snout, referring to the white end of the muzzle.

Photo Credits

© Zhu Hang
© Drake Shaw
Map: By Kmusser - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.