Paraschistura hormuzensis

Common name. Minab loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paraschistura in West Asia by: ○ snout pointed / ○ suborbital flap present in male, triangular, not overlapping horizontal slit below flap / ○ caudal forked / ○ lateral line incomplete / ○ 7–8 dark-brown bars on flank / ○ pelvic reaching to or beyond anus, to anal origin in some individuals / ○ body fully covered by scales / ○ body depth at dorsal origin 13–18 % SL / ○ no dorsal adipose crest / ○ a bold black spot at base of first dorsal rays / ○ usually a complete black bar at caudal base / ○ pelvic origin below first or second branched dorsal ray / ○ 7½ branched dorsal rays. Size up to 52 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Minab drainage.

Habitat. Fast to slow-flowing streams. Usually in shallow areas and on gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2015 (description).