Turcinoemacheilus minimus

Common name. Euphrates dwarf loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Turcinoemacheilus in West Asia by: ● caudal–peduncle length 6–7 % SL / ● body depth 1.6–1.9 times in head length / ● 4–5 mandibular pores in mandibular canal / ○ a row of large irregular, brown, longitudinally elongated blotches along lateral midline, often fused into an irregular-shaped lateral stripe / ○ large, brown saddles on back connected to lateral blotches / ○ caudal slightly emarginate / ○ anus situated at middle or in front of middle between pelvic and anal origins / ○ no dark-brown blotch on side of anal base. Size up to 50 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye:Göksu and Kahta in Euphrates drainage.

Habitat. Fast-flowing sections of small rivers and streams, usually in rapids and riffles with coarse gravel or rocks. Inhabits interspaces in gravel.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; restricted to a small area where it is in decline.

Further reading. Esmaeili et al. 2014c (description); Kaya et al. 2024d (re-diagnosis, distribution).