Paracobitis persa

Common name. Kor crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ tube of anterior nostril not fully overlapping posterior nostril when folded back / ○ caudal adipose crest very shallow, its depth at highest point 2.1–3.2 % SL / ○ flank behind dorsal origin or slightly anterior to dorsal base covered by scales, anterior flank naked / ○ pelvic origin below last unbranched dorsal ray / ○ axillary pelvic lobe small, often indistinct / ○ moderately to slightly emarginate caudal / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ midlateral stripe always disconnected from blotches and saddles on caudal adipose crest. Size up to 75 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Beyza, Maloosjan, and Ghadamgah springs, as well as headwaters of Kor.

Habitat. Small, slow-flowing streams and springs.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2014b (description).