Paraphanius mento (Heckel, 1843) [N]—Pearl-spotted killifish; Batrikh

Taxonomy. Original description: Lebias mento Heckel, 1843a: 1089 [99] [Mossul, northern Iraq (36°18’N, 43°18’E); possible syntypes: NMW 21699-704 (6), 59832 (21)].—Syrian synonyms: Aphanius mento (Heckel, 1843) .— Revisions: Esmaeili et al. (2020: 5).—Illustration: Heckel (1843b: pl. 6, fig. 4).

Status in Syria. First record from Syria by Beckman (1962: 151) as Aphanius mento; confirmed by Krupp & Schneider (1991b: 73) as Aphanius mento .—Syrian material: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Tigris River basin.—Distribution in River Basin: 1-Dajleh & Khabour, 2-Euphrates & Aleppo.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Tigris River basin (southern Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 441-Lower Tigris & Euphrates, 442- Upper Tigris & Euphrates.—Habitat: This species inhabits a wide range of springs, streams, lakes, and rivers. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance. Has potential to be used as aquarium fish.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: There are many threats in the area but none seems to be strong enough to threaten this species.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.—High priority for conservation action.