Paraschistura alta (Nalbant & Bianco, 1998)

[N] — Highfin loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Schistura alta Nalbant & Bianco, 1998: 118, fig. 21 [Helmand River drainage, northeast of Girisk, Kajkai, Afghanistan; holotype: ZMC P 27115].— Afghanistan synonyms: Schistura alta Nalbant & Bianco, 1998 .—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Nalbant & Bianco (1998: fig. 21) as Schistura alta .

Status in Afghanistan. Recorded from Afghanistan by Bănărescu and Nalbant (1967) as Schistura balichiorum, and in original description by Nalbant & Bianco (1998) as Schistura alta; confirmed by Coad (2014: 260; 2015: 229).—Afghanistan materials: ZMUC.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Helmand River basin.—General distribution: Middle East and South Asia: Helmand River basin (Afghanistan), Sistan and Baluchestan (Iran).—Habitat: This species occurs in streams ith moderately to fast flowing freshwater in both mountainous and lowlands. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: NE (2023).—Threats: Unknown.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—High priority for conservation action.