Paraphanius mentoides (Aksiray, 1948)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 754-755

Paraphanius mentoides

Common name. Kırkgöz killifish.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paraphanius by: ○ adults very large, often more than 60 mm SL / ○ pre-dorsal distance 62–66 % SL / ○ pre-anal distance 67–72 % SL / ○ interorbital distance 32–33 % HL / ○ male bluish, black or dusty grey with roundish or elongated silvery spots on flank, organised in vertical lines / ○ silvery lines distinct, not overlaid by many fine, powder-like dots / ○ lower jaw strongly upturned / ○ background colour greenish, greyish or dark-blue in male, upper part of head and back not orange / ○ female without silvery scales and without brown stripe along lateral midline. Size up to 66 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Yamansaz marsh, Düden spring in Antalya, Kırkgöz spring and outflowing stream Yediarıklar. Introduced in Lake Nemrut, a volcano crater lake in East Anatolia (not shown on map).

Habitat . Lakeshores, springs, and spring-fed streams.

Biology. Live up to 7 years, mature after first winter. Spawns May–July. Males establish territories along banks, usually in dense vegetation, defending against rivals. Females spawn with one or more males, usually in vegetation close to surface. Individual females produce several clutches in one day. Feeds on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Further reading. Akşıray 1948 (description); Güçlü & Küçük 2011 (reproduction, as Aphanius mento ).

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Paraphanius mentoides

Distribution

Habitat