Oxynoemacheilus eliasi

Common name. Küçük Menderes loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Aegean basin by: ○ inner axial stripe absent / ○ tip of pectoral usually not reaching to or reaching pelvic origin in male / ○ belly with small embedded scales / ○ body depth decreasing between dorsal and caudal base / ○ scales present from midline between pectoral- and pelvic bases to pelvic base / ○ caudal–peduncle depth 1.3–1.5 times in its length / ○ caudal emarginate, middle caudal ray 71–84 % of length of longest ray in upper caudal lobe / ○ two dark-brown blotches on caudal base, rarely connected to each other / ○ flank with bars and/or blotches. Size up to 65 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Küçük Menderes, Tahtalı and Gediz drainages.

Habitat. Standing and flowing waters of springs and streams on gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its small range.

Further reading. Yoğurtçuoğlu et al. 2022 (description).