Schizothorax grahami
Overview
Schizothorax grahami, the Kunming snowtrout, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Schizothorax. It is endemic to Lake Dianchi, its tributaries and connected springs, in Yunnan Province, China. The species has not been caught in the lake in the past 20 years, but it is present in one tributary drainage basin. The introduction of exotic fish is the main threat to this species.
Schizothorax grahami faces severe population decline primarily due to overfishing and habitat degradation in its native lake systems. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has significantly reduced water quality in critical breeding areas. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow patterns, disrupting spawning cycles and fragmenting remaining populations.
Habitat
This endemic cyprinid inhabits high-altitude freshwater lakes and associated river systems in the Tibetan Plateau region. The species requires cold, well-oxygenated waters with rocky or gravelly substrates for spawning and feeding.
