Barbus anatolicus

Common name. Anatolian barbel.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Barbus in West Asia by: ● anal of equal length in female and in male / ○ 58–71 total lateral-line scales / ○ 9–11 gill rakers / ○ 45–49 total vertebrae / ○ lower lip with median lobe / ○ last simple dorsal ray moderately ossified, serrated along about 70–80 % of its posterior margin / ○ many small irregular shaped black or brown spots, smaller or as large as scales, often forming large, dark-brown blotches on head, back, and flank in adults and juveniles / ○ posterior dorsal margin concave. Size up to 400 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak drainages.

Habitat. Medium to large rivers. Wide variety of habitats with moderate to strong currents and rocky or gravelly substrate.

Biology. Matures at about 2−4 years, males one year earlier than females. Usually a fractional spawner, some females appear to spawn only once a year. Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and algae.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Kotlík et al. 2004 (molecular phylogeny; as clade IV); Turan et al. 2018c (description).