Oxynoemacheilus phasicus

Common name. Rioni loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other adjacent Oxynoemacheilus species by: ○ flank mottled, marbled, or with bars / ○ a moderately emarginate caudal / ○ caudal peduncle deep / ○ no median incision in upper lip / ○ pelvic not reaching to origin of genital papillae / ○ pelvic origin below first branched dorsal ray / ○ a wide, bold band at middle or posterior half of caudal / ○ suborbital groove present in male. Size up to 77 mm SL.

Distribution . Georgia: Rioni and Inguri drainages.

Habitat. Moderate or fast-flowing waters in springs, streams, and rivers with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2021b (description).