Acrochordonichthys guttatus Ng & Ng 2001

Identification: Acrochordonichthys guttatus has a moderately compressed body, a comparatively narrow depressed head (19-21% SL), a slender caudal peduncle (4-5% SL), and a narrow humeral process (maximum width = 10-12% length). The head is covered with small, indistinct tubercles. Tubercles on the body are arranged in 5 or 6 horizontal rows on each side. There is an angular anterior margin on the anal fin, and an angular posterior margin on the adipose fin. The dorsal surface of the head and body is cream to dark yellow in color. Large dark brown spots are randomly scattered on the dorsal surface of the head. The sides of the body are dark brown with about 5 cream-colored or dark yellow dorsolateral spots. The belly, chest and ventral surface of the head vary from cream-colored to dark yellow and lack spots. The dorsal, pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are cream-colored with 1-2 dark brown bands; one band occurs at the base of the fins, and the other occurs at the edge. The cream-colored caudal fin has a dark brown band near the edge and a dark brown patch at the base of the caudal peduncle. The barbels and pectoral spines vary from cream-colored to dark yellow and sometimes have dark brown spots on the dorsal surfaces. The premaxillary toothband is not exposed when the mouth is closed. The stout pectoral spine has 6 large serrations on the posterior edge. There are 6 branchiostegal rays and 40-41 vertebrae.

Range: This species is found in the Barito River drainage in southern Borneo.

Habitat: A. guttatus is found among woody debris in current in creeks and small to medium-sized rivers.

Similar species: A. ischnosoma, A. strigosus, A. mahakamensis and A. septentrionalis have a thicker humeral process. A. ischnosoma has a longer dorsal-to-adipose fin distance, a shorter and thinner head, and a longer snout. A. mahakamensis has a rounded anterior anal fin margin. A. septentrionalis has a shorter dorsal-to-adipose fin distance and a cream color pattern with few small brown spots. A. strigosus has a rounded posterior adipose fin margin, a shorter and thicker male genital papilla, a more slender body, and a more slender caudal peduncle.

Information from Ng, H. H. and P. K. L. Ng. 2001. A revision of the akysid catfish genus Acrochordonichthys Bleeker. Journal of Fish Biology 58: 386-418.