Turcinoemacheilus hafezi, Golzarianpour, Abdoli, Patimar & Freyhof, 2013

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 579-580

Turcinoemacheilus hafezi

Common name. Persian dwarf loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Turcinoemacheilus in West Asia by: ○ body depth 13–15 % SL / ○ no dark-brown blotch on side of anal base / ○ anus situated behind middle between pelvic and anal origins / ○ mottled colour pattern or a prominent irregular-shaped dark-brown midlateral stripe disconnected from dark-brown blotches on back. Size up to 67 mm SL.

middle between pelvic and anal origins / ○ no dark-brown blotch on side of anal base / ○ caudal slightly emarginate. Size up to 55 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: stream Kaynarca in Euphrates, Yanarsu, Botan, Nerduş, Batman in upper Tigris drainages.

Habitat. Fast-flowing sections of small rivers and streams, usually in rapids and riffles with coarse gravel or rocks.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Kaya et al. 2024d (description).

Distribution. Iran: Behesht Abad in Karun drainage.

Habitat. Fast-flowing sections of small rivers and streams, usually in rapids and riffles with coarse gravel or rocks.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; restricted to a small area where it is in decline.

Further reading. Golzarianpour et al. 2013 (description); Esmaeili et al. 2014c (revision); Jouladeh-Roudbar et al. 2023c (phylogeny).

Turcinoemacheilus inexpectatus ; Lesser Zab drainage, Iraq; 50 mm SL.