34. Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis morii
(15cm)

S. n. morii
 © 2009 photo by Jeon, HyungPyo

S. n. morii
collected and photo by Kim, DaeMin
(Wanju county, Jeollabuk Province)
 © 2005 photo by Kim, DaeMin

Habitat: Sand and gravel bottomed and richly vegetated rivers, lakes, and drains with low to moderate current.  Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates.

Range: Korean endemic subspecies(Yellow Sea slope and South Sea slope). Three other subspecies have been found and described from the western Japan. It is unclear whether the Hyeongsan River(Gyeongju county) population is introduced from the Nakdong River drainage or native.

Remarks: Like bitterlings, S.n.morii spawns in freshwater mussel.  A popular aquarium fish in South Korea.

* Habitat of Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis morii (Mankyeong River : Wanju county, Jeollabuk Province)