Paraphanius alexandri (Aksiray, 1948)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 749-750

Paraphanius alexandri

Common name. İskenderun killifish.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paraphanius by: ○ male bluish, black or dusty grey with roundish or elongated silvery spots on flank organised in vertical series / ○ silvery spots indistinct, overlaid by many fine, powder-like dots / ○ pelvic reaching to anal origin in adult male / ○ pre-dorsal distance 57–60 % SL / ○ pre-anal distance 63–70 % SL / ○ interorbital distance 36–45 % HL female with pale-brown marbled pattern on flank / ○ female with pale-brown stripe between vertical of dorsal-base and caudal base / ○ female with silvery scales above and below stripe on caudal peduncle / ○ female without marbled pattern on back, often with single pale-brown dots in middle of scales. Size up to 46 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Middle and upper Ceyhan drainage, Erzin drainage, and small coastal streams in Hatay south to Arsuz. Introduced in warm springs in upper Tohma drainage (Euphrates).

Habitat. Springs, lakes and slow-flowing streams.

Biology. Live up to 4 years, mature in a few months, usually late in year of birth. Males establish territories along banks, usually in dense vegetation, defending against rivals.

Females spawn with one or more males, usually in vegetation close to surface. Individual females produce several clutches in 1 day. Feeds on algae, detritus and small invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Appears to be absent from the lower Ceyhan drainage.

Further reading. Akşıray 1948 (description).

Paraphanius boulengeri ; GÖlbaşı, Ceyhan drainage, Türkiye; female, 40 mm SL.

Paraphanius boulengeri ; GÖlbaşı, Ceyhan drainage, Türkiye; male, 37 mm SL.