Schizothorax plagiostomus Heckel, 1838

[N]—Snow trout

Taxonomy. Original description: Schizothorax plagiostomus Heckel, 1838: 16, pl. 1 (Kashmir, Tschilum River; holotype: NMW 51469).— Afghanistan synonyms: Oreinus griffithii McClelland, 1842; Oreinus plagiostomus McClelland, 1842; Schizothorax sinuatus Heckel, 1838; Oreinus sinuatus (Heckel, 1838) .—Revisions: None.— Illustration: Heckel (1838: pl. 1).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by McClelland (1842), Banarescu and Nalbant (1975), Moravec and Amin (1978); confirmed by Coad (1981: 8; 2014: 226; 2015: 228).—Afghanistan materials: BMNH, CMN, USNM, ZMUC.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Pich River, Salang River, Panjsher River, Paghman River, Kabul River drainge.—General distribution: Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan to China.—Habitat: This species occurs in clear, running, snow-fed hill streams and rivers over stony beds, where it can tolerate very low temperatures but usually does not survive well in water above 20°C. It is herbivorous and a bottom feeder of plants, algae, and other plant material. It is a short-distance migratory fish that enters tributaries for breeding. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Locally commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: VU (Jan & Daniels 2022).—Threats: CON, COM, FIT, ABS, HAB, EUT.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Significant decline.—High priority for conservation action.