Oxynoemacheilus axylos

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 488

Oxynoemacheilus axylos

Common name. Lake Tuz loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Central Anatolia and rivers flowing to Bay of Antalya by: ● elevated dorsal and ventral adipose crests, usually with convex margin and reaching to or exceeding vertical of anal base /○ caudal–peduncle depth 1.2–1.6 times in its length / ○ caudal almost truncate, middle caudal ray 88–98 % of longest ray of upper caudal lobe / ○ head length 24–27 % SL / ○ flank usually with irregularly set and shaped, confluent, small blotches and spots, forming a mottled pattern or rarely with larger blotches forming a marbled pattern. Size up to 73 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Pınarbaşı spring in İnsuyu, Lakes Samsam and Gök in Kozanlı, and Melendiz drainage (Ihlara Valley), all in Lake Tuz basin.

Habitat. Moderately fast-flowing and standing waters of springs and streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

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

Further reading. Yoğurtçuoğlu et al. 2022 (description).

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Oxynoemacheilus axylos