Paracobitis longicauda

Common name. Central Asian crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ posterior narial opening slit-shaped / ○ body fully covered by scales / ○ irregularly set blotches or bars on flank behind dorsal base / ○ caudal deeply emarginate / ○ pelvic origin below second or third branched dorsal ray / ○ axillary pelvic lobe small / ○ caudal rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1–2 wide, irregularly shaped bars. Size up to 150 mm SL.

Distribution . Hari and Morghab in Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Amu Darya and Zeravshan in Aral basin.

Habitat . Streams and small rivers. From lowland habitats up to high mountain streams.

Biology. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC; common and widespread, especially in Amu Darya drainage.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2014b (diagnosis, discussion of types).