Barbus karunensis

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 101-102

Barbus karunensis

Common name. Karun barbel.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Barbus in West Asia by: ○ 59−66+2−4 [60−70 total] lateral-line scales / ○ 39–44 total vertebrae / ○ postdorsal length 50–53 % SL / ○ dorsal base length 17–22 % SL / ○ anal length 7–9 % SL / ○ 26–29 scale around caudal peduncle / ○ 9–11 scales below lateral line / ○ 33–42 predorsal scales / ○ lower lip with a median swollen pad / ○ dorsal origin at or behind vertical of pelvic origin / ○ anal longer in female than in male. Size up to 154 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran: Sezar, Bakhtiyari, Beshar, and Khersan in upper and rarely in lower Karun drainage.

Habitat. Mountain and foothill zones, in streams and small rivers with fast, clear, well-oxygenated water and gravelly substrate.

Biology. Matures at about 2−4 years, males one year earlier than females. A fractional spawner. Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and algae.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Barbus karunensis can only be distinguished from B. cyri and B. lacerta by molecular characters.

Further reading. Khaefi et al. 2017a (description); Eagderi et al. 2019d (morphology).

Barbus lacerta ; Euphrates, Türkiye; 112 mm SL. Barbus lacerta ; Lake Nemrut, Türkiye; 110 mm SL.