Nekogigi

Resembles Pelteobagrus nudiceps in having a slightly notched posterior caudal fin margin, but distinguished by having a shorter body and fewer fin rays.

Observed from an aquarium, mature males swam around the shelter before spawning, sometimes digging the substrate under the shelter by beating their tail. Although males did not show features of parental care such as fanning or egg-cleaning in an aquarium condition, they continued to tend the shelter and attack other fish introduced to the aquarium.Once a ripe female was introduced to a male aquarium, the male starts to pursue the female, nudging its belly. The female is then led to or visited voluntarily the male shelter. Subsequently, either in the shelter (usually) or outside, the male wraps its body around the head and abdomen of the female, with the female's head against the male's caudal peduncle. The pair remain in this position for 5.2-9.2 seconds (6.1-7.8 seconds on the average for each pair). The female, firmly held by the male's pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins, slowly beats its caudal fin during the embrace. The embrace is terminated by spawning, with the female often turning its abdomen upwards when releasing eggs. Neither conspicuous ejaculatory behavior by the male nor turbidity caused by the semen was observed. Immediately after spawning, the female stirs the eggs by quickly swinging its body, leaves the spawning site afterwards or is chased away by the male.After several minutes, the female either returns voluntarily or is led back by the male to the shelter, repeating the same behavioral pattern all over again. The mean interval between successive spawnings ranged from 1.7-7.0 mins.It was also observed that immediately following spawning, all males were observed to forage for eggs.

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 14 - 16

Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are guarded by the male (Ref. 45232).

Nekogigi (Coreobagrus ichikawai) is a species of bagrid catfish endemic to Japan where it is only found in Mie Prefecture on Honshu. It occurs in streams and can grow to a length of 10.8 cm.