Aspiolucius esocinus (Kessler, 1874)

[N]—Pike asp

Taxonomy. Original description: Aspius esocinus Kessler, 1874: 28, pl. 5, fig. 18 [Syr-darya and Amu-darya rivers, Turkestan; Syntypes: BMNH 1897.7.5.31-32 [ex ZMMU] (2); none found at ZIN].— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: Berg (1949: 600).—Illustration: Berg (1949: 601, figs. 355–356).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Zharov (1973); confirmed by Coad (1981: 9; 2014: 123; 2015: 227).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Panj River.—General distribution: Middle Asia.—Habitat: This species is a large, rheophilic, and potamodromous species that inhabits larger river channels with mediumfast currents and relatively turbid water. It is rarely found in irrigation canals. In lakes or reservoirs, it is prevalent around river mouths if they have turbid waters. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: EN (Karimov 2020d).—Threats: FIT, CON, ABS, EUT.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.— Moderate priority for conservation action.