Paracobitis salihae

Common name. Euphrates crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ pelvic origin below or very slightly in front of dorsal origin / ○ caudal truncate / ○ no pelvic axillary lobe / ○ flank with a dark-brown vermiculate or marbled pattern / ○ flank behind vertical through adipose-crest origin covered with small, deeply embedded scales / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ predorsal length 56–57 % / ○ prepelvic length 54 % SL / ○ outer rostral barbel 24–32 % HL / ○ maxillary barbel 27–34 % HL. Size up to 66 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Upper Göksu drainage.

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

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. VU; appears to be declining within its small range. Its distribution is very small, and only two individuals have been found so far.

Further reading. Kaya et al. 2020c (description).