Moltrecht'S Minnow

This species is characterized by the following: compressed body, incomplete ventral keel, extending from anus toward the ventral fin base; complete lateral line, extending to caudal fin base; terminal mouth, extending slightly beyond vertical of anterior margin of orbit; origin of dorsal fin closer to caudal fin base than tip of snout; rather large eyes; wide interorbital area; moderately large scales; greyish on dorsal side, pale white laterally; scale pocket darker than the background; body sometimes scattered with few grayish brown spots in lateral; all fins translucent and slightly yellowish; body length up to 12 cm, usually seen as 4-8 cm (Ref. 84731).

Vertebrae: 8

A medium sized fish that prefers shallow waters of sluggish streams or ponds with inflow water. It usually hides between dense aquatic vegetation to avoid predation. Feeds mainly on small aquatic invertebrates, any sizable floating organic fragments and surface-drifting terrestrial insects. A common food fish. Threatened by degradation of habitat (construction of hydroelectric power caused drastic diel fluctuation of water level (release and refilling of water) thus preventing growth of aquatic vegetation). It can now be found only in several streams near its type locality and is diminishing progressively, unless measures are undertaken to rescue remaining populations and to restore their habitats (Ref. 84731)

臺灣的特有種，分布於中部烏溪、濁水溪上流及其支流和日月潭附近，族群量已日漸稀少。

小型魚類，較不為人注意，或可油炸食之，亦可當觀賞用魚，唯族群量稀少，是極需保育之種類。

體延長而側扁。由腹鰭基部至肛門間有不發達的腹稜。頭寬大。吻短。口端位，口裂稍斜，向後延伸未超過眼中線的下方。無鬚。咽頭齒2列，齒式4.4-4.4。體被中大圓鱗。背鰭的起點離尾鰭基部較吻端為近。各鰭均無硬棘，背鰭軟條2(不分枝軟條)+ 7(分枝軟條)；臀鰭2(不分枝軟條)+7(分枝軟條)；腹鰭1(不分枝軟條)+8(分枝軟條)。體背部呈黑褐色，體側和腹部為銀白色。體側上半部的鱗片後緣有弧形的黑色斑紋。

初級淡水魚，喜棲息於水質清澈的支流緩流區，以及水潭的淺水區。具群游性，活動於水域的中上層。雜食性，主要以水生昆蟲、底棲藻類及有機碎屑為食。

Aphyocypris moltrechti, Moltrecht's minnow, is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to Taiwan. It was formerly considered to be the only species in the genus Pararasbora. The Endemic Species Research Institute under the Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan in Taiwan has enlisted Aphyocypris moltrechti as “precious and rare species” among other endemic freshwater species.

Named in honor of physician-entomologist Arnold Moltrecht (1873-1952), who collected the type specimen.

Aphyocypris moltrechti is distributed in the middle portion of western Taiwan, where they can be found in Tachia River and Tatu River. Their total body length are usually seen from 4 cm to 8 cm.