Iksookimia pumila
(8cm)
* Endemic to Baek River
Habitat : Iksookimia pumila lives in cool, clear stream with bottoms of gravel or coarse sand, ranging from 2 to 30m wide and less 1 m deep, with moderate to low current and rich-forested shore. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates.
Range: Endemic to South Korea(Baek River).
Threats : Because the only habitat, Baek River, is flowing through the Byeonsan Bando National Park, disturbing by developments have hardly affected. However, some aquarium hobbyist and illegal aquatium collectors often collect I. pumila without any valid permits from the national park. The Buan Dam, moreover, built in middle-river in 1996, decreases habitats and it likely causes inbreeding depression.
Invasive species that people put into the Buan Dam, including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), are also threatening.
Conservation action : The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute and Dr.Yang, Hyun group of the Institute of Biodiversity Research of the Chonbuk National University is working on stocking projects.
* Habitat of Iksookimia pumila (Jikso Creek : Buan county, Jeollabuk Province)