Capoeta kaput

Common name. Blue scraper.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Capoeta in Caspian basin by: ● usually 9½ branched dorsal rays / ● flank bluish or bluish-green without small black spots, juveniles with large black blotches / ○ 54–63 total lateral-line scales / ○ 24–25 gill rakers. Size up to 900 mm SL.

Distribution . Caspian basin: Aras drainage.

Habitat. Larger rivers with moderate or fast-flowing water.

Biology. Feeds on detritus, periphyton, and occasionally small invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Levin et al. 2019 (description); Kaya 2019 (distribution); Kuljanishvili et al. 2020 (distribution).