Turkestan Catfish - Turkestan Loach

Turkestan Loach - Glyptosternum reticulatum

This small fish, measuring 20–25 centimeters in length, is quite widely distributed in the channels of mountain rivers, particularly in their mountainous and foothill areas. The loach is not so easy to catch. With its flattened body and head, it skillfully hides under stones. It has 6 rays in the dorsal fin and 5 rays in the anal fin (II—III). There are 4 pairs of whiskers on the snout. The body is bare, and the head is flattened from top to bottom. The eyes are small. The coloration is uniform — a yellowish-brown back and a white belly. Occasionally, individuals with dark spots on the back and sides are found. It can reach lengths of 25–28 cm.

Its biology is poorly studied. It inhabits the mountainous and foothill sections of rivers in sandy-stony areas. It feeds on larvae of aquatic insects and small fish. In Kyrgyzstan, the Turkestan loach is found in the Naryn River and its tributaries, in the Toktogul Reservoir, in the Kara-Darya, Ak-Bure, and Kyzyl-Su rivers.

This is the most exotic species in the ichthyofauna of our country. Since 1985, it has been a specially protected species and is listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Fish