Oxynoemacheilus theophilii

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 535

Oxynoemacheilus theophilii

Common name. Aeolian loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Aegean basin by: ○ caudal deeply emarginate / ○ a shallow dorsal crest on caudal peduncle / ○ suborbital groove present in male; caudal-peduncle depth 12–13 % SL, 1.3–1.6 times in its length / ○ flank mottled / ○ body depth at dorsal origin 17–18 % SL / ○ length of middle caudal ray 19–23 % SL / ○ dorsal and ventral adipose crests present on caudal peduncle behind vertical of posterior anal base / ○ body depth between dorsal and caudal bases almost uniform / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ belly with few, small, embedded scales. Size up to 66 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Bakırçay drainage. Also, on Greek island of Lesbos.

Habitat. Moderately fast-flowing waters in streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Remarks. Oxynoemacheilus bergamensis is a synonym.

Further reading. Stoumboudi et al. 2006 (description); Erk’akan et al. 2007 (description as Barbatula bergamensis ); Freyhof et al. 2011 (distribution); İlhan et al. 2020 (distribution).

Oxynoemacheilus tigris ; Qweiq drainage, Türkiye; ~ 55 mm SL; individual with mtDNA of O. namiri .