The Mexican blindcat (''Prietella phreatophila''), in Spanish ''bagre de muzquiz'', is a species of

North American freshwater catfish North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. Etymology The word ''north'' is ...

(family Ictaluridae). Until recently, it was believed to be endemic to

Coahuila Coahuila (), formally Coahuila de Zaragoza (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza), is one of the 32 states of Mexico. Coahuila borders the Mexican states of N ...

in the

Rio Bravo Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for "river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil. Rio or Río may also refer to: Geography Brazil * Rio de Janeiro * Rio do Sul, a ...

drainage in northern Mexico; however, in 2016 the species was reported from the Amistad National Recreation Area, Texas, following earlier, unconfirmed sightings of blind, white catfish in the area. The captured specimens were brought to the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium.

Habitat and conservation

The species lives only in subterranean waters and can be encountered in caves and wells. In Mexico, it is known from 12 locations. It is threatened by pollution of the groundwater and groundwater extraction.

Description

This fish is pinkish white in color and has no eyes. It grows up to in total length. The dorsal fin has no spine. The adipose fin is joined to the caudal fin, which is unforked.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3232367 phreatophila Cave fish Freshwater fish of Mexico Natural history of Coahuila Freshwater fish of the United States Fish described in 1954 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot