Oxynoemacheilus angorae (Steindachner, 1897)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 484-485

Oxynoemacheilus angorae

Common name. Angora loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Marmara, and Black Sea basins, and Central Anatolia by: ○ caudal–peduncle depth 1.5–1.8 times in its length / ○ caudal slightly emarginate, shortest middle

caudal ray 88–92 % of longest ray of upper caudal lobe / ○ belly without scales / ○ no prominent dorsal crest on caudal peduncle / ○ suborbital groove present in male / ○ flank marbled, often with a series of midlateral blotches fused to a wide, irregularly shaped midlateral stripe / ○ upper part of cheek mottled / ○ tip of pectoral usually not reaching

Oxynoemacheilus araxensis ; upper Euphrates drainage, Türkiye; 71 mm SL. © M. Özuluğ.

pelvic origin in male / ○ distance between pectoral and pelvic origins 25–28 % SL / ○ no median incision in upper lip / ○ axillary pelvic lobe absent / ○ colour pattern on flank anterior to dorsal origin usually interrupted by pale-beige lateral line. Size up to 98 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Susurluk east to Kızılırmak drainages and endorheic Lakes İznik and Ilgın basins, also in Göksu drainge.

Habitat. A wide range of habitats, from swift mountain streams, banks of large rivers, springs to muddy lakes with dense vegetation. Moderately rheophilic, avoids very fast currents.

Biology. Spawns first time, usually at age 1; most individuals spawn for 1–2 seasons. Multiple spawner. Feeds on relatively large benthic invertebrates. Tolerant of moderate organic pollution and stream channeling.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Yazıcıoğlu & Yazıcı 2016 (biology); Yoğurtçuoğlu et al. 2022 (distribution); Kaya et al. 2025a (record in Göksu).