Oxynoemacheilus persa

Common name. Persian loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii, it is only other congeneric in Iranian Kor drainages by: ● caudal deeply emarginate / ● no dorsal crest on caudal peduncle. Size up to 78 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Kor basin, Helleh, and Mond drainages.

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

Biology. Spawns May and June.

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

Remarks. Oxynoemacheilus farsicus is a synonym.

Further reading. Nalbant & Bianco 1998 ( Oxynoemacheilus farsicus); Mirghiyasi et al. 2016 (spawning time); Esmaeili et al. 2019 (phylogeography).