This is a family of freshwater fishes found
from the Middle East (Turkey and Syria) to Southeast Asia (Thailand,
China, and Borneo). It contains about 20 genera and 85 species
(Nelson 1994).
They have an adipose fin and four pairs of
barbels. They are mostly small and are found in fast flowing
streams.
Trajano et al. (2002) found
individuals of the genus Glyptothorax in a cave in Thailand.