Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822)

[N]—Large razorbelly minnow

Taxonomy. Original description: Cyprinus bacaila Hamilton, 1822: 265, 384, pl. 8, fig. 76 (rivers of India; no types preserved].— Afghanistan synonyms: Oxygaster bacaila (Hamilton, 1822); Salmophasia bacaila (Hamilton, 1822) .—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Hamilton (1822: pl. 8, fig. 76) as Cyprinus bacaila .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by McClelland (1842: 575) as Opsarius bacaila; confirmed by Coad (1981: 12; 2014: 202; 2015: 228).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabul River.—General distribution: Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh;? Thailand.—Habitat:This species is a benthopelagic and potamodromous species, usually found in slow-running streams, but also occurring in rivers, ponds, inundated fields in submontane regions, and brackish waters. It is an omnivorous surface feeder. Freshwater, brackish.

Economic importance. Locally consumed, but of no commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Rema Devi & Dahanukar 2011).— Threats: HAB, EUT, ABS.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.— Decline status: Stable.—Low priority for conservation action.