THREATENED FISHES OF THE WORLD: Paracobitis rhadinaeus (Regan, 1906) (NEMACHEILIDAE)

Abstract

Paracobitis rhadinaeus is an endemic Nemacheiline loach in the Sistan basin, southeast Iran. The population is declining probably due to habitat loss or degradation, damming, drought and poaching. Urgent habitat protection with bans on further regulation of the Hamoun wetland and related reservoirs is suggested. Captive breeding of the fish should be initiated. Fishing activities should be forbidden or limited. A detailed study of current population status, biology and ecology of P. rhadinaeus is required.

Keywords

• paracobitis rhadinaeus
• nemacheilidae
• sistan basin
• conservation