Paraschistura prashari (Hora, 1933)

[N] — Prashar loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Nemachilus prashari Hora, 1933: 109 [a spring 300 yards north of Kohat City, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan; holotype: ZSI F10719/1].— Afghanistan synonyms: Nemacheilus prashari Hora, 1933; Noemacheilus prashari Hora, 1933; Schistura prashari (Hora, 1933) .—Revisions: Prokofiev (2009: 892).—Illustration: Hora (1933: pl. 5, figs. 1–2) as Nemachilus prashari .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Bănărescu & Mirza (1965); confirmed by Coad (1981: 15 as Noemacheilus (Schistura) prashari; 2014: 329).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Swat and Kabul Rivers, Vale of Peshawar.—General distribution: Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.—Habitat: This species inhabits hilly streams with stony or gravelly beds at 400–800 m altitude. It is a carnivorous fish species that feeds on aquatic insects and worms. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: NT (Rafique et al. 2021b).—Threats: ABS, HAB, CON, CLI, ABS, EUT.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.—Moderate priority for conservation action.