Capoeta mandica, Bianco & Banarescu, 1982

Capoeta mandica View in CoL

Common name. Mond scraper.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Capoeta in Persian Gulf basin south of Zohreh and in Iranian endorheic basins by: ○ flank silvery or brown with many small black spots, especially on head and back / ○ last unbranched dorsal ray very strong, shorter than head, strongly serrated / ○ 58–68 total lateral-line scales / ○ 21–27 gill rakers / ○ 12–13 scales between dorsal and lateral line / ○ 8–10 scales between lateral line and anal / ○ usually 8½ branched dorsal rays. Size up to 300 mm SL.

Distribution. Iran: Helleh and Mond drainages.

Habitat. Small rivers and streams with sand or gravel bottoms. Usually in medium or fast-flowing clear or muddy waters.

Biology. Lives up to 6 years. Spawns in spring, most likely May−June.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Bianco & Bănărescu 1982 (description); Zareian et al. 2018 (description).