Salmo opimus

Common name. Alara trout.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Salmo in Mediterranean basin by: ● predorsal area slightly convex in individuals larger 170 mm SL / ○ four broad, dark-brown or grey bands on flank / ○ 10–12 parr marks distinct even in the largest size / ○ one black spot behind eye / ○ 0–5 black spots on opercle, usually 2–3 (smaller than pupil) / ○ 0–50 black spots on flank, smaller than pupil, irregularly shaped, located mostly on anterior, upper part of flank, also on back and below lateral line in some individuals / ○ red spots few, small, irregularly shaped / ○ a large (lager than eye pupil) white ring around red spots / ○ red spots present on flank in individuals of all size groups / ○ maxilla short, maxilla, and lower lip not fleshly / ○ maxilla and supramaxilla wide (depth of upper jaw 2.6–3.2 times in length of maxilla) / ○ adipose larger in male than that in female / ○ 112–120 lateral-line scales counted until end of hypural complex / ○ 24–26 scale rows between dorsal origin and lateral line / ○ 16–18 scale rows between anal origin and lateral line / ○ 13–15 scale rows between adipose origin and lateral line / ○ 22–23 gill rakers. Size up to 270 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Alara, a coastal Mediterranean drainage.

Habitat. Headwater streams, usually spring-fed, with cold, clear water and moderate currents, with gravel and pebble beds.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. VU; believed to decline due to many threats in its small range.

Remarks. Was thought to be widespread in Ceyhan, but all these populations have recently been identified as S. chilo.

Further reading. Alp et al. 2003 (spawning time); Turan et al. 2012b (description).