Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus
Overview
The hyaline fish is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. This threatened species is found only in Yunnan in China. Like many other cavefish, it lacks scales, pigmentation and external eyes. The first recorded description of an obligate cavefish involved this species, when mentioned in 1540 in the travel notes of Yingjing Xie, a local governor of Guangxi.
Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus faces severe threats from groundwater pollution and cave habitat degradation in its extremely limited range in Guangxi Province, China. Agricultural runoff and industrial contamination directly impact the underground water systems this cave fish depends on for survival. The species' highly specialized cave-dwelling lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to any changes in water chemistry or cave structure, with no ability to relocate to alternative habitats.
Habitat
This species inhabits underground cave systems and associated groundwater networks in limestone karst formations of Guangxi Province, China. It is specifically adapted to the perpetually dark, stable temperature conditions of subterranean aquatic environments with slow-flowing or still water.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in CYPRINIDAE
Threatened in China
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus live?
What are the main threats to Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus?
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