Paracobitis malapterura (Valenciennes, 1846)
Western crested loach
photo by Cicek, E. & S. Sungur

Family:  Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches)
Max. size:  12.6 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9.6 g; max. reported age: 3 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: endemic to Euphrates and Tigris river systems.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Differs from other epigean species of Paracobitis in the Middle East by a combination of non-unique characters: flank behind dorsal-fin base is covered by scales, while anterior flank is scaleless (vs. scales completely absent in P. vignai or the body completely covered by scales in P. longicauda and P. rhadinaea) . Can be further diagnosed from other congeners by having caudal fin moderately to slightly emarginate (vs. deeply emarginate or forked in P. vignai and a roundish posterior nare opening (vs. slit-shaped in P. longicauda, P. rhadinaea and P. vignai) (Ref. 97574).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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