Acrochordonichthys septentrionalis Ng & Ng 2001

Identification: Acrochordonichthys septentrionalis has a moderately compressed body, a comparatively narrow depressed head (20-22% SL), and a slender caudal peduncle (5% SL). The head is covered with small, indistinct tubercles. Tubercles on the body are arranged in 5-6 horizontal rows on both sides. Dark brown spots are randomly scattered on the dorsal surface of the head. The body is uniformly cream colored with a few small dark brown spots on the body and irregular dark brown patches on the sides posterior to the dorsal fin base. The belly, chest and ventral surface of the head are cream-colored and lack spots. The dorsal and pectoral fins are dark brown with cream-colored distal margins. The cream-colored pelvic and anal fins have a dark brown band near 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 cream-colored barbels and pectoral spines have dark brown spots on the dorsal surfaces. The premaxillary toothband is not exposed when the mouth is closed. The stout pectoral spine has 6-7 large serrations on the posterior edge. There are 4 branchiostegal rays and 40 vertebrae.

Range: This species is found in the Mae Khlong River drainage in Thailand, in the Pahang River drainage in Peninsular Malaysia, and possibly in the Bernam River drainage in Peninsular Malaysia.

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

Similar species: A. ischnosoma, A. guttatus, A. mahakamensis and A. strigosus have a longer dorsal-to-adipose distance, more branchiostegal rays and a variegated color pattern with numerous brown patches.

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.