Triplophysa stolickai (Steindachner, 1866)

[N]—Tibetan stone loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Cobitis stolickai Steindachner, 1866: 76, pl. 12 [Kashmir lakes; syntypes: NMW 48561 (3)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Noemacheilus stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1866); Nemacheilus stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1866); Triplophysa stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1866); Triplophysa stoliczkae (Steindachner, 1866) .—Revisions: Kottelat (2012: 131).—Illustration: Steindachner (1866: pl. 12) as Cobitis stolickai .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Berg (1948 – 1949); confirmed by Moravec and Amin (1978); Coad (1981: 15 as Noemacheilus (Triplophysa) stoliczkai; 2014: 272; 2015: 229).—Afghanistan materials: BMNH, CMN, MNHN.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Bamian River, upper Helmand River, upper Amu Darya.— General distribution: Asia: Indus, Ganges, Tarim and Yangtze River basins (Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, and China including Tibet).—Habitat: This freshwater species lives amongst rocks in swift-flowing streams, lakes and standing waters, hot springs, and close to riverbanks in wetlands with also slow water currents of gravel and mud bottoms and submerged waterweeds. This species feeds on aquatic invertebrates and can be found at elevations of up to 5200 m. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Daniels 2022c).—Threats: ABS, CON, CLI, HAB, FIT.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.— Moderate priority for conservation action.