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Abhisek Mishra (2) Humaun Kabir Rahat/Sadit Khan (4)

Described from the Kaladan River drainage, Mizoram in 2022, this species is very new to science. A. hmolaii is very similar in appearance to A. mangois, but there are some key differences that set them apart. For example, A. hmolaii possesses an elongated, more cylindrical body, a higher vertebral count (37–38 vs. 34–36), a caudal fin that is less deeply forked, and a narrower head (Humaun/Sadit 2025). Description: Head depressed. Snout short, rounded when viewed dorsally. Mouth terminal, with lower jaw slightly longer; lips with thickened skin. Eye small and rounded, nearer to the snout tip than the end of the opercle. Nostrils very short, tubular, situated immediately anterior to and posterior to the base of the nasal barbel. Nasal barbel not reaching the posterior margin of the opercle. Maxillary and outer mandibular barbels reaching beyond the base of the pectoral fin (Singh et al. 2022). Inner mandibular barbel not reaching the base of the pectoral fin. Gill membranes narrowly joined at the isthmus. Lateral line incomplete, slightly curved downward, and terminating at a point slightly anterior to vertical through the pelvic-fn origin. Habitat: Known from the Kawlchaw River and Sala River of the Kaladan River drainage, Mizoram, India. Colouration: Dorsal and lateral surfaces of head and body a strong brownish hue, fading to creamish on ventral surfaces. All barbels greyish basally and becoming lighter distally. Dorsal, adipose, pectoral, pelvic, and anal fns uniformly cream-colored with lighter distal margins. Caudal fn uniformly dusky (Singh et al. 2022). Etymology: The specific name hmolaii: in honour of Hmolai, a “famous” Lakher chief of Lushai hills (present-day Mizoram state, India), where this catfish occurs (Singh et al. 2022).

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Amblycipitidae

Southern Asia: Kaladan River drainage, Mizoram, India.

5.5cm (2¼ins)

18-22°C (63-71°F)

6.5-7.5.

Humaun/Sadit. per. comm 2025.
Singh, M., S. Lalronunga and L. Ramliana 2022 (4 Mar.) Integrative taxonomy peeps a new torrent catfish species of genus Amblyceps (Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae) in Kaladan River of Mizoram, India. Molecular Biology Reports v. 49: [1-8] 4565-4572.