Golden Line Barbel

Sinocyclocheilus grahami is a benthopelagic fish found in the upper Yangtze River Basin, previously inhabitating Lake Dian situated on the high elevation plateau, where the Yangtze originates. While now extirpated in Lake Dian itself, it is presumed still extant in springs feeding Lake Dian. The upper Yangtze basin is considered the part from the headwaters to the Three Gorges area, or a catchment area of approximately one million square kilometers; this upper basin is quite mountainous. The upper Yangtze basin consists chiefly of Paleozoic limestone and terrigenous sedimentary rock, with some granitic material. Several endemic benthopelagic associates are found in the Yangtze, including: Anabarilius polylepis, Liobagrus kingi, Bangana rendahli, Pseudogyrinocheilus prochilus, and Siniperca roulei. The demersal fish Silurus meridionalis also is found as a Yangtze River endemic species.

Body grayish dark on head and back, pale yellow on sides and with several numbers of grayish round marks on upper part, white on belly; paired fins and anal fin reddish. Length of head longer than depth of body; barbels 2 pairs; eyes located above the front section of head; lateral line scales larger than scales of body (Ref. 45536).

Feeds on plankton and aquatic insects (Ref. 45536).

The golden-line barbel (Sinocyclocheilus grahami) is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to Dian Lake and its tributaries in Yunnan, China. It has been extirpated from the lake itself due to heavy pollution, but survives in a single tributary and a few small temple ponds. This species can reach a length of 23 centimetres (9.1 in) though most are only around 17 centimetres (6.7 in). The greatest weight known for this species is 250 grams (8.8 oz).