Friday July 17, 2026
The Star —
Hidden within the streams and tributaries of the Mekong River Basin, five unique species of Schistura fish have been identified by scientists, with four of them carrying the names of Lao researchers and one named after the Bolaven Plateau.
The discoveries highlight Laos’ remarkable freshwater biodiversity and reflect the growing international recognition of Lao scientists’ contributions to aquatic research.
According to the National Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Research Institute (NAFRI), the discoveries are the result of decades of collaborative research led by the Fisheries Research Centre in partnership with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and international ichthyologists.
Since 1999, researchers have conducted extensive surveys of the Mekong River Basin and its tributaries, documenting an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 fish species.
Among the basin’s most diverse groups is the genus Schistura, commonly known as stone loaches, which has yielded numerous species new to science.
Five notable Schistura species discovered in Laos have received names that reflect either the contributions of prominent Lao individuals or the locations where the species were first found.