Oxynoemacheilus araxensis

Common name. Erzurum loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Euphrates drainage by: ○ caudal slightly emarginate / ○ lateral line complete / ○ suborbital groove present in male / ○ flank mottled or with 6–9 irregularly shaped dark-grey blotches, often fused, forming a lateral stripe / ○ caudal peduncle without high adipose crest or ridge / ○ flank covered by scales. Size up to 90 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Upper Karasu, a tributary of Euphrates west of Erzurum.

Habitat. Moderately fast-flowing streams.

Biology. No data.

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

Remarks. Despite its name, this species is restricted to the Euphrates drainage and has not been found in the Aras (Caspian basin).

Further reading. Bănărescu et al. 1978 (description); Freyhof et al. 2019 (distribution).