Akysis fontaneus

<em>Akysis fontaneus</em> is a miniature freshwater catfish belonging to the family Akysidae, a lineage of small, rough-skinned torrent catfishes native to riverine systems of South and Southeast Asia. This species is notably small even by the standards of its genus, typically reaching a maximum recorded length of approximately 2.35 cm. Specimens have been collected at shallow depths of 0 to 2 metres, suggesting an association with nearshore, benthic microhabitats in stream environments. The genus <em>Akysis</em> is characterised by tuberculate body skin, a depressed head, and strong adaptation to rheophilic conditions — species tend to grip rocky and gravelly substrates in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich hill streams and mountain tributaries. <em>Akysis fontaneus</em> is presumed to share these ecological traits, seeking shelter beneath cobbles and larger substrate elements to resist displacement by current. Dietary habits are thought to resemble those of congeners, likely involving small aquatic invertebrates and organic detritus. Details of broader habitat and geographic range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature. The family Akysidae encompasses species that are often localised and stenotypic in distribution, rendering them potentially sensitive to stream degradation and habitat modification. <em>Akysis fontaneus</em> has not been formally evaluated for conservation status.