Mystus cyrusi

Common name. Kol zugzug.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Mystus in West Asia by: ● maxillary barbel not reaching to or beyond pelvic origin / ● adipose base length 31–37 % SL, with a steep slope at its origin / ● head depth 17–22 % SL / ● caudal peduncle depth 10–13 % SL / ● 12–14 gill rakers / ○ usually a wide, brown, mid-lateral stripe, followed by a wide silvery stripe above and below mid-lateral stripe, and a silvery line along lateral midline in life and preserved individuals / ○ eye situated at or slightly above, usually protruding dorsal head profile / ○ 14–22 serra on inner pectoral spine. Size up to 203 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Shur, Qalatooyeh, and Golabi springs in Kol drainage.

Habitat. Springs and spring-fed streams.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range. Invasive Amatitlania nigrofasciata might be a threat in springs.

Further reading. Esmaeili et al. 2022 (description).