, FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SlAM, OR THAILAND 227 



LABIOBARBUS LEPTOCHEILUS (van Hasselt) 



Dangila leptocheila van Hasselt, 1823, p. 132 (Batavia). — Smith, 1933a, p. 80 

 (Menam Chao Phya at Bangkok, Noutaburi, Ayuthia, Chautabun Rivei-, 

 Tale Sap, Patani River).~FowLEi!, 1937, p. 176 (Pitsanulok). 



Dunglla cuvieri Boulengek, 1903, p. 303 (Patani River, Patani Bay). — Koumans, 

 1937a, p. 64 (Peninsular Siam). 



Dangila leptoclieilus Fowlek, 1934a, p. 115 (Bangkok) ; 1935a, p. 115 (Bangkok). 



The range of this species in Thailand inchides the Peninsular, Cen- 

 tral, and Southeastern sections, and extends thence to Malaya, Su- 

 matra, Borneo, and Java. 



The maximum length attained by Thai examples examined has 

 been 25 cm., with many specimens up to 20 cm. long. 



The comparatively short head (4.7 to 5.2 in standard length) is 

 associated with a maxillary barbel much longer than the eye, a rostral 

 barbel often as long as the eye, several transverse rows of pores on the 

 front of the snout, 39 to 41 scales in the lateral line, a dorsal fin, which 

 in local examples may have up to 27 branched rays, normally ill- 

 defined dark longitudinal streaks along the rows of scales, and some- 

 times a large dark spot on the caudal peduncle near the base of the 

 caudal fin. Occasionally the dark lines along the side are strongly 

 marked, and there may be an obscure humeral spot. 



According to Weber and de Beaufort, 16 or 18 scales surround 

 the narrowest part of the caudal peduncle in this species. In Thai- 

 land 18 or 20 is the usual number, with 22 not infrequently present. 

 Thus, of three specimens 10 to 11.5 cm. long taken in the Meklong at 

 Ban Pong in October 1926 one had 20 and two had 22 circmnpedun- 

 cular scales, and one specimen, 19.5 cm. long, collected at the same 

 place in November 1924 had 22 such scales. In no other local species 

 has a similar variation been found. 



A specimen, 21.5 cm. long taken in the Menam Chao Phya near 

 Ayuthia December 9, 1923, had the left rostral barbel bifurcated at 

 half its length. 

 '^^'" The spawning season varies with the region and lasts most of the 

 year. In Peninsular Thailand (Nakon Sritamarat) a fish 20.5 cm. 

 long taken July 4, 1928, had well-developed eggs; in the Southeastern 

 region (Chantabun Kiver) a fish 20.5 cm. long taken March 30, 1925, 

 contained nearly ripe eggs; in Central Thailand (Menam Chao Phya) 

 fish are found with eggs up to the end of the rainy season in October. 



In different parts of its range this fish has different vernacular 

 names. In the Bangkok region and in other sections the usual des- 

 ignation is pla sol, often with qualifying words. The common dove 

 {StreptopeUa chinensis figrina), with an area of conspicuous small 

 black spots on the side of its breast, is known as noh Mao, and th^ 

 fish, with its black spots on the side, is called pla soi nok Jchao in 

 fancied resemblance to the dove. The cotton tree or kapok {Bomhax) 



