Paracobitis abrishamchianorum

Common name. Caspian crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ axillary pelvic lobe large and well developed, usually with free tip / ○ scales sparsely set on flank between dorsal origin and anal base, densely set on caudal peduncle / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ dorsal origin usually slightly behind a vertical through pelvic origin, rarely above or in front / ○ caudal rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1–2 wide, irregularly shaped bars. Size up to 110 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran: Tajan, Siyah, Talar, Babol, Haraz, and Kashpal in southern Caspian basin.

Habitat. Streams and small rivers with clear water, coarse gravel, and fast currents.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Originally described as P. abrishamchiani, the name needed to be declined, as the species was described for two persons.

Further reading. Mousavi-Sabet et al. 2019b (description).