Bangana dero

Common name. Kalabans.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other cyprinid species in southern Iran by: ● transversal groove along snout / ○ mouth inferior / ○ lips thick / ○ upper lip well developed, separated from skin of snout by a groove / ○ no gular disc / ○ one pair of barbels / ○ 38–44 total lateral-line scales / ○ 5½ branched anal rays. Size up to 500 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran: Mashkid drainage on border with Pakistan.Widespread east into Pakistan, Afghanistan, and along Himalayan foothills in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China. Introduced in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Habitat. Iran: Small streams in desert areas. Usually in torrential mountain streams, rivers, and lakes at high altitudes. Spawns on gravel in fast or moderately fast-flowing water.

Biology. Lives up to 8 years. Matures after one year and 200−300 mm SL (NE India). Spawns on rocks or vegetation in spring. Makes short spawning migrations to torrents. Spawns March−June (Garhwal Himalayas), June−July (NE India). May migrate to warmer regions of lakes and streams during winter. Herbivorous, feeding on detritus, diatoms, and algae, occasionally on invertebrates or small vertebrates. Highly valued as a food fish.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Bangana gedrosicus is a related species reported from the Mashkid drainage in Pakistan. Bangana dero is distinguished from B. gedrosicu s by having 5½ branched anal rays (vs. 6−7½) and 16−17 pectoral rays (vs. 14). Tariqilabeo macmahoni is another superficially similar species reported from the Mashkid basin. Bangana dero is distinguished from Tariqilabeo macmahoni in having 39–44 total lateral-line scales (vs. 35−36).

Further reading. Mohindra et al. 2005 (general information; as Labeo dero); Esmaeili et al. 2013a (Iran, morphology); Coad 2021a (biology, morphology).