Paracobitis basharensis

Common name. Karun crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ● dorsal origin at about one eye diameter behind a vertical of pelvic origin / ○ many brown or yellowish, medium-sized, widely spaces and irregularly shaped blotches forming a mottled pattern on predorsal back and flank / ○ flank behind dorsal origin covered by small scales / ○ caudal almost truncate or slightly emarginate / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ axillary pelvic lobe small. Size up to 61 mm SL, likely to grow larger.

Distribution. Iran: Headwaters of Bashar in upper Karun drainage.

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

Biology. No data. Only four individuals have been found so far.

Conservation status. DD; due to very poor knowledge of this species. May be extinct, as it has never been found again despite intensive searches.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2014b (description).