Key to genera of Nemacheilidae in the Middle East

1a -Dorsal-fin origin clearly behind vertical of pelvic-fin origin; anus situated more than two eye diameters in front of anal-fin origin................................................................................. Turcinoemacheilus

1b -Dorsal-fin origin in front, above or slightly behind vertical of pelvic-fin origin; anus situated about one eye diameter or less in front of anal-fin origin.................................................................................. 2

2a -Pectoral fin in male remarkably longer than in female; male with many small nuptial tubercles on head, especially on cheek and on upper pectoral fin................................................................................ 3

2a -Pectoral fin in male not longer than in female; male without small nuptial tubercles on head or on pectoral fin........... 4

3a -Suborbital flap or groove always absent in male; caudal fin very slightly emarginate or truncate; pectoral fin in male reaching beyond pelvic-fin origin when adpressed; epural bone in caudal skeleton absent....................... Seminemacheilus

3b -Suborbital flap or groove present or absent in male; caudal fin deeply emarginate or truncate; if suborbital flap or groove absent and caudal fin slightly emarginate or truncate, then pectoral fin in male not reaching beyond pelvic-fin origin when adpressed; epural bone in caudal skeleton present............................................... Oxynoemacheilus

4a -A prominent dorsal adipose crest on caudal peduncle, not supported by procurrent caudal-fin rays; flank marbled or mottled or with an irregularly shaped midlateral stripe......................................................... Paracobitis

4b -No dorsal adipose crest on caudal peduncle, or, if dorsal adipose crest present, supported by procurrent caudal-fin rays and caudal peduncle usually with regularly shaped bars........................................................... 5

5a -Colour pattern on flank with regularly- or irregularly-set bars, often dissociated into irregularly-shaped blotches, especially on flank in front of dorsal-fin origin; most species with prominent black spot at base of unbranched dorsal-fin rays and on first and sometimes second branched rays; a dark-brown or black bar or 1–2 black blotches at caudal-fin base; no whitish or yellowish triangular patch on posteriormost upper and lower caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply emarginate or forked.... Paraschistura

5b -Colour pattern on flank with a marbled or mottled pattern, usually with a dark brown or grey, irregularly shaped, midlateral stripe, often restricted to caudal peduncle; no prominent black spot at base of unbranched dorsal-fin rays or on first or second branched rays; no dark-brown or black bar or blotch at caudal-fin base; a prominent whitish or yellowish triangular patch on posteriormost upper and lower caudal peduncle; caudal fin slightly emarginate.............................. Sasanidus