Paracobitis atrakensis

Common name. Atrak crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ no scales on body, isolated scales on dorsal, adipose crest in few individuals / ○ caudal truncate or very slightly emarginate / ○ coarse mottled brown pattern on flank / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ pelvic origin below vertical of last unbranched or first branched dorsal ray / ○ caudal rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1–3 wide, irregularly shaped bars / ○ no pelvic axillary lobe or lobe fully attached. Size up to 125 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran and Turkmenistan: Atrak drainage in southeast Caspian basin and Bidvaz drainage in Eastern Kavir basin.

Habitat. Streams with coarse gravel and moderate to fast-flowing water.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC; extirpated from Bidvaz.

Further reading. Esmaeili et al. 2014d (description).