Triplophysa akhtari (Lakshmanan, 1950)

[E]— Helmand loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Nemachilus akhtari Lakshmanan, 1950: 219, fig. 132 [Helmand River, Afghanistan; syntypes: ZMMU P-5734 (3), P-5735 (1)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Nemacheilus akhtari Lakshmanan, 1950 .—Revisions: Kottelat (2012: 122) as questionably valid.—Illustration: Lakshmanan (1950: fig. 1) as Nemachilus akhtari .

Status in Afghanistan. Reported from Afghanistan in original description by Lakshmanan (1950) as Nemachilus akhtari; confirmed by Coad (1981: 13) with status uncertain.—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Helmand River.—General distribution: Afghanistan.— Habitat: This species occurs in streams with 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— Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Moderate priority for conservation action.

Remarks. Current status of this species should be clarified.