Mystus misrai

Common name. Hatay zugzug.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Mystus in West Asia by: ● dorsal fin margin rounded / ● 8–10 serra on inner pectoral spine / ● eye situated below dorsal head profile, not protruding / ● head blunt / ● no stripes or lines on flank in life and preserved individuals / ● dorsal spine shorter than head-width at eye, usually as long as distance between lower eye margins / ○ maxillary barbel reaching to or beyond pelvic origin. Size up to 138 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye and Syria: Lower Orontes drainage.

Habitat . Large rivers and lakes.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. CR; following massive pollution of lower Orontes and draining of Lake Amik in 20 th century, this species appears to be restricted to Lake Balık (Gölbaşı). It is thought to be in decline here due to habitat deterioration.

Further reading. Anuradha 1986 (description); Freyhof & Yoğurtçuoğlu 2023 (rediscovery).