Capoeta fusca

Capoeta fusca View in CoL

Common name. Qanat scraper.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Capoeta in Iranian endorheic basins by: ○ 7½ branched dorsal rays / ○ usually 42–50 total lateral-line scales / ○ usually 11–15 gill rakers / ○ one pair of barbels / ○ last unbranched dorsal ray soft with few fine serrae along proximal half / ○ flank beige, golden, or brown without small black spots, juveniles and some adult individuals with large black blotches. Size up to 180 mm SL, likely to grow larger.

Distribution. Sistan basin in Afghanistan. Atrak drainage, North and South Bejestan, Eastern Kavir, Gonabad, and Lut basins in Iran.

Habitat. A wide range of small to large desert streams, springs, qanats and canals. Habitats are often very small and isolated.

Biology. Lives up to 6 years. Spawns March−August, fractional spawning. Feeds on plants and filamentous algae, occasionally on invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC; although the species is widespread, its habitats are usually very small and under severe water stress.

Remarks. Scales on the belly and lower flank are deeply embedded in skin in some individuals or populations. This species is very closely related to C. aculeata .

Further reading. Johari et al. 2009 (biology); Patimar & Mohammadzadeh 2011 (biology); Jouladeh-Roudbar et al. 2020 (distribution); Coad 2021a (biology, morphology).