Cyprinion microphthalmum (Day, 1880)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 168-169

Cyprinion microphthalmum

Common name. Orange stripe lotak.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Cyprinion in Persian Gulf and Iranian endorheic basins by: ○ mouth wide, variably arched to almost straight with cutting edge in adults / ○ orange spots along lateral line / ○ no lateral lobes or papillious central pad on lower lip / ○ 8−18 gill rakers / ○ 31−43, usually 35−40, total lateral-line scales / ○ last unbranched dorsal ray thin, flexible along at least upper third, usually serrated from half to two-thirds of length / ○ dorsal margin usually from slightly concave to slightly convex / ○ 9−12½, usually 10−11½, branched dorsal rays / ○ back in front of dorsal with naked median area of variable length and about one scale wide / ○ scales on belly and upper anterior flank variably imbricated and often embedded in skin or absent. Size up to 200 mm SL.

Distribution. Shur ( Iran) east to Makran region of Pakistan, where it occurs east of Bahukalat. Also, in endorheic basins of Jazmurian and Mashkid ( Iran and Pakistan), Gonabad, and Lut ( Iran and Pakistan).

Habitat. Ubiquitous. Inhabits a wide range of streams and rivers. Can be found in almost any freshwater habitat within its range. Spawns on gravel, usually in riffles.

Biology. Fractional spawner, individual females spawn several times during spring and summer. Males defend territories and have a dark-grey nuptial colour. Feeds on epilithic algae, detritus, and plant material scraped from hard surfaces such as stones, wood, or plants.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. The shape of mouth varies from almost terminal and moderately oblique in lateral view (similar to C. milesi ) to inferior and transverse, with no real gap visible in lateral view. The thickness and degree of serration of the

last unbranched dorsal ray also appear variable. Cyprinion kirmanense , from southeastern Iran, is usually treated as a synonym of C. microphthalmum but may be a valid species. Cyprinion microphthalmum has often been considered a synonym of C. watsoni from Pakistan.

Further reading. Bianco & Bănărescu 1982 (morphology, Kol drainage, as C. watsoni ); Howes 1982 (anatomy; revalidation of C. microphthalmum ); Nasri et al. 2013 (morphometrics, as C. watsoni ); Nasri et al. 2018 (morphology).

Cyprinion microphthalmum inhabits a wide range of waters, including qanats. Cyprinion milesi ; Sarbaz drainage, Iran; ~ 100 mm SL. © H. Mousavi-Sabet.