Paracobitis molavii

Common name. Kurdistan crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ caudal truncate / ○ pelvic origin below first branched dorsal ray / ○ flank behind dorsal origin or slightly anterior to dorsal base covered by scales, anterior flank naked / ○ axillary pelvic lobe small / ○ posterior narial opening roundish. Size up to 66 mm SL, likely to grow larger.

Distribution . Iran and Iraq: Upper Zalem, Sirvan, Leyleh, and Lesser Zab drainages.

Habitat. Streams with coarse gravel and moderate to fast-flowing water.

Biology. No data.

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

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2014b (description).