Oxynoemacheilus paucilepis

Common name. Tohma loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Euphrates drainage by: ● flank with a distinct midlateral series of large, roundish or horizontally elongated brown blotches and a row of small brown blotches between upper pelvic base and lowermost caudal base / ○ lateral line complete / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ no prominent dorsal crest on caudal peduncle / ○ suborbital groove absent in male / ○ caudal peduncle without high adipose crest or ridge / ○ flank covered by scales. Size up to 76 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Mancınık, Çetinkaya, and Kalkım drainages in upper Euphrates.

Habitat. Moderately or slowly flowing waters in streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

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

Further reading. Erk’akan et al. 2007 (description).