Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 518

Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus

Common name. Lesser Zab loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Tigris drainage by: ○ suborbital groove present in male / ○ usually 9½ (rarely 8½) branched dorsal rays / ○ flank with a midlateral row of 6–12 dark-brown, irregularly shaped, vertically elongated bars / ○ last bars on caudal peduncle narrower than interspaces / ○ two distinct and prominent black blotches at posteriormost caudal base, often overlaid by a dark-brown or black chevron-shaped bar / ○ upper lip with a deep median incision

Oxynoemacheilus leontinae ; Lake Tiberias, Israel; 40 mm SL.