Luciobarbus esocinus Heckel, 1843 [N]—Pike barbel; None

Taxonomy. Original description: Luciobarbus esocinus Heckel, 1843: 1054 [64] [Tigris River, Mosul, Iraq; syntypes: NMW 54088 (2), 54091-92 (1, 1); SMF 454 (ex NMW) (1), 6785 (ex NMW) (1)].—Syrian synonyms: Barbus esocinus (Heckel, 1843) .—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Heckel (1843: Pl. 4, fig. 2).

Status in Syria. First record from Syria by Beckman (1962: 100) as Barbus esocinus; confirmed by Ali (2003).— Syrian materials: MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Euphrates and Tigris River basins.—Distribution in River Basin: 1-Dajleh & Khabour, 2-Euphrates & Aleppo.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Euphrates and Tigris river systems (Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 441-Lower Tigris & Euphrates, 442-Upper Tigris & Euphrates.—Habitat: This species occurs in large rivers and reservoirs; from which they migrate to inflowing rivers to spawn. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: VU (IUCN 2023).—Threats: FIT.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.—Moderate priority for conservation action.