Esmaeilius vladykovi (Coad, 1988)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 744-745

Esmaeilius vladykovi

Common name. Chaghakhor killifish.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Esmaeilius by: ● 36–47 scales in lateral series / ○ female without distinctive black spot at caudal base / ○ female with irregular set brown or dark-grey spots and blotches, blotches sometimes slightly vertically elongated / ○ male with 9–14 brown bars on flank / ○ male with wide white anal, and dorsal margin. Size up to 65 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran: Upper Karun drainage. Introduced to Hozmahi spring in Zayandeh drainage.

Habitat. High-altitude wetlands in the Zagros Mountains (at about 2400 m). In springs, ponds, streams, and marshes.

Esmaeilius vladykovi ; Boldaji, Iran; male, ~ 35 mm SL.

Biology. Live up to 4 years, mature in a few months, usually late in year of birth. Males establish territories along banks, usually in dense vegetation, but also between rocks, which they defend against rivals. Spawning peaks in early April but lasts much longer. Females spawn with one or more males, usually in algae or other vegetation close to surface or in gravel beds. Adhesive eggs attached to plants in batches of 3– 30 eggs hatch in 9–13 days at 21–22°C. Individual females may produce several clutches in one day. Feeds on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.

Conservation status. VU; originally present at 10 sites, but has disappeared from four sites in the last 10 years.

Further reading. Coad 1988 (description); Pazooki et al. 2008 (food); Keivany & Soofiani 2004 (reproduction); Esmaeili et al. 2020b (molecular data, distribution); Freyhof & Yoğurtçuoğlu 2020 (generic position).