Paracobitis hircanica

Common name. Golestan crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ caudal rays dark-brown or black with a hyaline base and a hyaline posterior margin / ○ no scales on body / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ fine marbled or vermiculate brown pattern on flank / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ axillary pelvic lobe well developed with free tip / ○ pelvic origin below vertical of last unbranched or first to second branched dorsal ray. Size up to 95 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Ziyarat, Zaringol, Madarsu, and Qarasu in Gorgan drainage and locally in Atrak.

Habitat. Fast to moderately fast-flowing streams.

Biology. Lives for 3 (males) to 4 years (females). Feeds on benthic invertebrates such as chironomids and stoneflies.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Paracobitis atrakensis and P. hircanica occur in sympatry in Atrak and hybrids should be expected to occur.

Further reading. Patimar et al. 2009 (biology as P. malapterura); Mousavi-Sabet et al. 2015a (description).