Gobio baliki

Common name. Melen gudgeon.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Gobio in Anatolia by: ○ 40–42 total lateral-line scales / ○ chest completely scaled, scales extending forward to isthmus / ○ head length 24–28 % SL / ○ body depth at dorsal origin 18–22 % SL / ○ distance between anus and anal origin 7–10 % SL / ○ numerous small black spots on head / ○ depth of anal approximately equal to length of pelvic / ○ snout pointed / ○ 6–7 scales rows between lateral line and dorsal origin / ○ 4–5 scales between lateral line and anal origin / ○ 5–6 scales between anus and anal origin / ○ 5–6 scales between posterior extremity of pelvic base and anus / ○ 8–9 mid-lateral blotches. Size up to 93 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Büyük Melen drainage.

Habitat. Streams and small rivers with fast-flowing water on sandy or gravelly bottoms.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. VU; seems to be in decline due to many threats.

Further reading. Turan et al. 2017a (description).