Chinese researchers discover new species "Andongling loach" in Guangxi

Recently, scientific researchers discovered a small cave fish in the Hongshui River system in Guangxi. Based on morphological comparison and molecular phylogenetic studies, it was confirmed that this fish is a new species. Because it was first discovered in Andong Township, Xincheng County, Laibin City, Guangxi, the researchers named it "Andongling Loach". This research result was recently published in the international academic journal "Zoo Key" by researchers from Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Environmental Protection Science Research Institute, and Liuzhou Fishery Technology Extension Station.

According to scientific researchers, the genus Loach is a type of small freshwater fish distributed in southwest China and northern Vietnam. Most of them live in karst underground water system environments. It shows remarkable adaptability to the extremely dark karst landscape environment, such as degeneration of eyes, loss of scales, lack of pigmentation on the body surface, and a well-developed posterior chamber of the swim bladder.