Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of loaches (Botiidae, Cobitidae and Nemacheilidae) of Japan.

Background: Loach is one of the major cypriniform fishes in freshwater habitats of Japan; 35 taxa/clades have, until now, been recognised. Parallel to genetic studies, morphological examinations are needed for further development of loach study, eventually ichthyology and fish biology. Digital archiving, concerning taxonomy, ecology, ethology etc., is one of the progressive challenges for the open science of biology. This paper aimed to online publish photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known clades of loaches inhabiting Japan (103 individuals in total with several type specimens), contributing to ichthyology and public interest of biodiversity/biology.

New information: Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known 35 taxa/clades of loaches inhabiting in Japan were online published at https://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan and https://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan3D.