Blind naked-belly barbel
Typhlobarbus nudiventris
Typhlobarbus is a monospecific genus of freshwater, troglobitic ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, the carps, barbs and allied fishes. The only species in the genus is Typhlobarbus nudiventris, a species endemic to Jianshui County in Yunnan, China.
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Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Typhlobarbus
Blind naked-belly barbel belongs to the family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
Typhlobarbus is a monospecific genus of freshwater, troglobitic ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, the carps, barbs and allied fishes. The only species in the genus is Typhlobarbus nudiventris, a species endemic to Jianshui County in Yunnan, China. Like other cavefish, it lacks pigmentation and its eyes are degenerated. It is the only species in its genus. It reaches up to about 4.6 cm (1.8 in) in standard length.
The Blind naked-belly barbel faces significant threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its restricted cave and underground river systems. Dam construction and groundwater extraction have altered natural water flows, while agricultural runoff and industrial pollution contaminate the specialized aquatic environments this endemic species depends on.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Endemic to underground cave systems and subterranean rivers in limestone karst formations of southern China. Inhabits dark, oxygen-poor waters with stable temperatures in caves and underground waterways.
Threats
Habitat degradation from dam construction
Limited range making populations vulnerable
Water pollution from agricultural runoff
Groundwater extraction and flow alteration
Industrial pollution of water systems
Found in 1 Country
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blind naked-belly barbel (Typhlobarbus nudiventris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blind-naked-belly-barbel