Orontes Spined Loach

biology_ecology

Habitat. Running and standing waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, often with dense submerged vegetation. Biology. No data.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

conservation

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

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Cobitis in Mediterranean basin east of Eşen by: ○ flank pattern well organised in four Gambetta zones / ○ Z 4 formed by one series of distinct blotches, partly or completely fused into a stripe in some individuals / ○ black spot present at upper caudal base / ○ blotches in Z 2 irregularly shaped, often ½ of size or as large as in Z 3 / ○ often blotches in Z 2 and Z 3 about size of eye or pupil diameter / ○ Z 2 and Z 3 usually forming one marbled pattern / ○ many small, dark-brown spots or blotches on lower part of caudal – peduncle, reaching forward to pectoral base in some individuals / ○ interorbital distance 7 – 11 % HL in male / ○ external part of suborbital spine bifurcate / ○ mid-dorsal pigmentation consisting in a series of 7 – 12 dark-brown, roundish blotches / ○ two laminae circularis in male. Size up to 82 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

discussion

Remarks. Cobitis levantina is found in southern, upper Orontes, but closely related C. anabelae inhabits the northern, lower part of Orontes drainage. The exact distribution of both species is unknown, and it cannot be excluded that they might form a hybrid zone at the border of their ranges.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia