Acanthobrama orontis

Common name. Cilician bream.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Acanthobrama by: ○ pharyngeal teeth in one row / ○ 51−64, usually 54−62, total lateral-line scales / ○ tip of upper lip at or above level of middle of eye / ○ 8½ branched dorsal rays / ○ snout length 25–27 % HL. Size up to 156 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye and Syria: Göksu east to Orontes. Absent between Göksu and Seyhan.

Habitat. Lowland rivers and reservoirs. Also common in irrigation channels and artificial waters.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC; possibly extirpated from Orontes, as no individuals have been seen for many years.

Further reading. Berg 1949b (description); Freyhof & Özuluğ 2014 (discussion); Bayçelebi 2020 (distribution).