Mystus ankutta, commonly known as the Sri Lanka dwarf catfish or yellow dwarf catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Bagridae that is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Description
This small freshwater fish grows to a maximum length of approximately 7.9 cm (about 3.1 inches). It is a demersal (bottom-dwelling) species that inhabits freshwater rivers with mud or sand substrates in tropical climates.
Distribution and Habitat
In the wild, Mystus ankutta is found in freshwater bodies ranging from the Kelani River to the Nilwala River in the southwestern lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is known from approximately four locations within this range-restricted area, with an estimated Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of around 4,778 km² and an Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 88 km².
Taxonomy
The species was first described scientifically in 2008 by Pethiyagoda, Silva, and Maduwage in the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters (volume 19, issue 3, pages 233–242). It belongs to the genus Mystus within the family Bagridae and the order Siluriformes.
Conservation Status
Mystus ankutta is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2019 assessment). Its habitat is declining due to logging, rapid expansion of agriculture, and the drying out of streams attributed to climate change.
