The Sinocyclocheilus represents a rare freshwater teleost genus endemic to China. With widespread drying associated with the aridification of China during the late Miocene and Pliocene, Sinocyclocheilus began to seek refuge in deeper waters and colonized cave habitats, leading to the evolution of cave-dwelling forms. Cave dwellers evolve a series of troglodyte characteristics and behavioral adaptations to enhance survival in caves, an extreme environment of perpetual darkness with infrequent food supply.