Serpenticobitis

Serpenticobitis octozona is a small loach apparently endemic to the Sekong River basin in southern Laos, part of the lower Mekong system. Sometimes sold as 'serpent loach', it shows a degree of social interaction and can cling to vertical or overhanging surfaces. The type species of its genus, it has 7-8 dark bars on each flank, much wider than the pale interspaces. It lives in shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated headwaters and minor tributaries.

Serpenticobitis zonata is a small loach from the Xe Bangfai and Xe Bang Hiang drainages in Laos, and Chanthaburi province in south-eastern Thailand. Fish sold under this name are sporadically available, but the majority appear to be the congener S. octozona. S. zonata has a pale body with 7-8 regular dark vertical bars, sometimes with thin dark bars on the interspaces. It inhabits shallow, fast-flowing, highly-oxygenated headwaters and minor tributaries.