Types matter: taxonomic status of Chanodichthys oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1871) (Cypriniformes, Xenocyprididae) and some relevant species of East Asia.

Issues concerning the identification of Chanodichthys oxycephalus are addressed. This species is a senior synonym of Ch. oxycephaloides and is restricted to the Chang-Jiang basin and adjacent lakes. Specimens previously identified as Ch. oxycephalus, represent misidentifications of either Ch. abramoides or Ch. dabryi. Chanodichthys oxycephalus, Ch. abramoides, and Ch. dabryi are confirmed as three distinct species. Chanodichthys dabryi shinkainensis is treated as a junior synonym of Ch. abramoides. Additional comments are provided on some cultrin fishes from Lakes Dongting and Xingkai mentioned in earlier literature. This study clears up the taxonomic confusion surrounding associated species.