Oxynoemacheilus oxianus (Kessler, 1877)

[N]—Amu Darya stone loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Nemacheilus brandtii oxianus Kessler, 1877: 177 [Amu Darya River, Uzbekistan; holotype: ZIN uncat. (not found in 1996)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Nemacheilus oxianus Kessler, 1877; Noemacheilus oxianus Kessler, 1877; Nemacheilus flavus Berg, 1905 .—Revisions: Berg (1949: 879) as Nemachilus oxianus .—Illustration: Berg (1949: 879, fig. 625) as Nemachilus oxianus .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Berg (1949: 880) as Nemachilus oxianus; confirmed by Coad (1981: 15; 2014: 250; 2015: 228).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Korovabad, Panj River.—General distribution: Northern-central Asia: Uzbekistan.—Habitat: This species inhabits mostly headwater streams with medium to strong current over sand or pebble substrate. It feeds on chironomids and small-bristle worms. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Karimov 2020b).—Threats: FIB, CON.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Stable.— Low priority for conservation action.