45.2 mm SL, UNAM 7705
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PHANTOM BLINDCAT
Prietella lundbergi Walsh & Gilbert 1995
Identification: The Phantom Blindcat lacks eyes and is pinkish white. The dorsal fin lacks a spine. The snout overhangs the
mouth. There is a long adipose fin joined to the caudal fin but with a flap posteriorly creating a deep notch between the
adipose fin and caudal fin. There are 17 caudal rays and 17 rakers on the first gill arch. The caudal fin is weakly forked.
There are well developed lateral-line canals and pores on the head. To 2 1/2 in. (6.8 cm) total length.
Range and Habitat: The Phantom Blindcat lives in subterranean waters in the Río Tamesí drainage, Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is
known from only two caves and presumably lives in deep underground aquifers.
Similar species: The other blind catfish in Mexico, the Mexican Blindcat, P. phreatophila, has a straight-edged caudal
fin, 15 caudal rays and 10-14 rakers on the first gill arch.
