Paracobitis persa Freyhof, Esmaeili, Sayyadzadeh & Geiger

Persian name Loch mahi-e-tajdar-e-parsi

English name Paracobitis persa Freyhof, Esmaeili, Sayyadzadeh & Geiger

Key features It is distinguished by having a prominent, irregularly shaped mid-lateral stripe, a shallow adipose crest, and the tube of the anterior nostril not fully overlapping the posterior nostril when folded back. Sexual dimorphism has not been reported.

Conservation status It is an endemic fish of Iran and Fars province. Due to some reasons such as very limited distribution, unique habitat, drought, low population of this species in existing habitats, conservation of these species and habitats seems very necessary and essential (Esmaeili et al., 2006; Esmaeili et al., 2009). It is a vulnerable species of Iran and Fars province, and according to the mentioned threat factors, its population in habitats is seriously threatened. Implementation of a conservation and management plan is necessary to prevent the reduction of its current population size. It is recommended that biology and ecology be investigated in the Fars province. It has not been assessed by IUCN (IUCN 2015), but it is possible to be listed as CR (CRITICALLY ENDANGERED).

Habitat and distribution It has been collected from Sivand River of the Kor basin in southern Iran, inhabiting fairly fast to slow, and transparent water flows, with substrate consisting of coarse gravel and boulders.