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Common carp with the scientific name Cyprinus carpio is one of the many freshwater fish. The main birthplace of this fish is commonly thought to have originated in Asia and was later introduced to Europe, North America and elsewhere regions. They can grow up to 120 cm and reach a weight of 37300 grams at the age of 47. Although they are resistant to various environmental conditions, they prefer a large amount of water with a slow or stagnant flow, and of course, they prefer succulents and bedding plants. They tend to be in groups of 5 or more and naturally live in temperate climates in fresh and salty waters with a pH of 7.5-7.5 and a hardness of 10-15. Their adapt temperature range is between 3-24 degrees Celsius. Camphor is omnivorous and eats almost everything it comes across. They enjoy eating plant seeds, aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, or dead fish.

Five new species of Glyptothorax are described from Iran. Glyptothorax alidaeii, new species, from the Seimare in the Karkheh drainage, G. galaxias, new species, from the upper Karun drainage, G. hosseinpanahii, new species, from the Zohreh drainage, G. pallens, new species, from the Sirvan drainage, and G. shapuri, new species, from Shapur in the Helleh drainage. Glyptothorax silviae from the Jarrahi drainage is re-diagnosed. All six species are morphologically distinguishable by the structure of the thoracic adhesive apparatus, as well as morphometric characters and details in the colour pattern. They form distinct mitochondrial clades between 1.2% and 4.1% minimum K2P distance based on the mitochondrial DNA barcode region.

The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) on growth performance, liver histopathology and some blood parameters of the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juvenile. A total of 144 fish (182.09 ± 9.05 g) were fed diets containing graded levels of Fe-NPs (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg–1 diet) for 8 weeks. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, body weight increases, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, monocytes, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lysozyme activity between treatments (P > 0.05). The group fed 50 mg kg–1 Fe-NPs showed a significant difference in the contents of red and white blood cells, neutrophils, and total protein, in respiratory burst activity, and total immunoglobulin level (P < 0.05); the diet caused the least negative effect on the fish liver. After 8 weeks, survival rates of 76.67, 90.00, and 93.33% were recorded in groups that received 25, 50, and 100 mg kg–1 Fe-NPs of feed, respectively, compared to 66.67% survivals in the control. These results indicated that Fe-NPs at a level of 50 mg kg–1 improved the welfare and survival of stellate sturgeon juveniles and had no negative effect on the fish liver.

The monotypic nemacheilid loach genus Ilamnemacheilus was erected based on morphological features of a single individual described as Ilamnemacheilus longipinnis Coad and Nalbant, 2005 from the Tigris River tributary in Iran. It was later transferred to the genus Oxynoemacheilus based on molecular and morphological studies without a description. Here, we re-describe O. longipinnis based on additional specimens collected from near the type locality. It is distinguished from the other oxynoemacheilid loaches of the Tigris River by having a suborbital groove in males, the number of the dorsal-fin rays, the colouration pattern of the body, and the shape of the upper lip and the caudal fin.

Summary Length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships were estimated for 11 Alburnoides species from 15 localities throughout Iran. These represent the first reports of LWR and LLRs data for 10 species, including: Alburnoides coadi (40 specimens), A. damghani (30), A. eichwaldii (110), A. holciki (30), A. idigensis (113), A. namaki (30), A. nicolausi (30), A. parhami (30), A. qanati (30) and A. tabarestanensis (30) and first LLR data for A. samiii. Nine of these species are endemic and two are native to Iran. The length–weight parameter b for these species ranged from a minimum of 2.94 for Alburnoides nicolausi to a maximum of 3.37 for Alburnoides parhami, with regression coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.91 to 0.99. All LLRs were highly significant (r2 > 0.96).

Paracobitis abrishamchiani, new species, is described from the southern Caspian Sea basin, where it is found in the Babol, Haraz, Siah, Tajan, Talar and Kashpal River drainages. It is distinguished from P. hircanica and P. atrakensis, the two other Paracobitis species known from the Caspian Sea basin, by having scales on the flank posterior to the dorsal-fin origin and from its congeners in the Middle East by the position of its dorsal-fin origin, having a roundish posterior narial opening, and a colour pattern consisting of many widely spaced brown spots and blotches. It is further characterized by six diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 4.3% to P. persa and 4.6% to P. malapterura in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

To estimate reproductive biology of Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva et al., 2015, in Sefidroud River in the southern Caspian Sea basin age, sex ratio, fecundity, oocytes diameter, gonadosomatic, modified gonadosomatic and dobriyal indices were measured. Regression analyses were used to find relations between fecundity and fish size (length and weight), gonad weight, and age. Mature females and males were longer than 46 and 49 mm in total length, +1 in age. The Von Bertalanffy growth models were L∞ = 23.00 cm (TL), K = 0.21, t0 =–0.25 for all specimens. Sex ratio was 1: 1.32 in favor of males. The average egg diameter was 0.96 mm. The spawning period extended from late February to late April. The averages of absolute and relative fecundity were calculated as 536.9 and 81.3, respectively. The absolute fecundity was significantly related to the body length and weight, as well as gonad weight.

Summary Length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships were estimated for 330 specimens from nine Paracobitis species in 11 localities throughout Iran. All fish were collected upon occasion by electrofishing throughout Iran from July 2010 to October 2016. These represent the first reports of LWR data for eight species including: Paracobitis atrakensis, P. hircanica, P. longicauda, P. molavii, P. persa, P. rhadinaeus, P. smithi and P. vignai and first LLR data for all species. A new maximum length is reported for P. malapterura. Four of these species are endemic and five species are native to Iran. The length–weight parameter b ranged from a minimum of 2.74 for P. atrakensis to a maximum of 3.01 for P. longicauda, with regression coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.96 to 0.99. All LLRs were highly significant (r2 > .96).

Summary Length–weight parameters were estimated for 37 freshwater fish species of Iran belonging to seven families. Significant length–weight relationships with high correlation coefficients were found for all species.

Spined loaches from the Siahrud River of the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in the province of Mazandaran, north of Iran, are described as a new species Cobitis faridpaki. This species belongs to Cobitis species group with a single lamina Canestrini at the base of the second pectoral-fin ray in males and subdorsal scales with reduced eccentric focal zone. These characters differentiate C. faridpaki from both southern Iranian species C. linea and C. melanoleuca distributed in the northern Caspian Sea basin. The stout body, small and numerous (25–30) lateral spots and the presence of 14–16 branched caudal-fin rays separate C. faridpaki from Caucasian species C. satunini.

It has been postulated that the building of the Shahid-Rajaei dam on the Tajan River around 1995 has lead to the morphological divergence of Siah Mahi Capotes capoeta gracilis (Pisces) of up- and downstream populations due to the isolation. A 13-landmark morphometric truss network system was used to investigate the hypothesis. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between the means of the two groups for 45 standardized morphometric measurements out of 78 characters studied. In linear discriminant function analysis (DFA), the overall assignment of individuals into their original groups was 87.6%. The proportion of individuals correctly classified into their original groups was 90.3% for upstream and 83.7% for downstream population. The principal component analysis (PCA) scatter plot of individual component scores between PC1 and PC2 showed 121 fish specimens grouped into two areas but with a relativity high degree of overlap between two populations. Clustering analysis based on Euclidean square distances among groups of centroids using an UPGMA resulted into two main clusters indicating two populations of C. c. gracilis. The present study indicated the presence of two morphologically different populations of C. c. gracilis in the Tajan River across the Shahid-Rajaei dam, probably due to their limited downstream dispersal and the elimination of upstream migration altogether, due the construction of the dam.

Cobitis avicennae, new species, from the Karkheh and Karun sub-drainages in the Tigris catchment is distinguished from other Cobitis species in the Persian Gulf, Kor and the southern Caspian Sea basins by having a single lamina circularis in males, a small comma-shaped black spot on the upper caudal-fin base, 5½ branched anal-fin rays, 5-6 rows of dark spots on the dorsal and caudal fins, scales below the dorsal-fin base with a small focal zone and pigmentation zone Z4 with 12-17 large, partly fused blotches. It is also distinguished from other Cobitis species in the comparison group by six fixed, diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Alburnus atropatenae Berg, 1925 is reported for the first time from the River Ghareh-Chay in the Namak basin, central Iran. Previously, this species has only been reported from the Lake Orumiyeh basin, in northwest Iran. In this report twenty-nine specimens were caught on 8 August 2012. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the specimens were similar to those reported elsewhere for the species.

The length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relations were estimated for the first time for the seven endemic species of the genus Alburnus Rafinesque, 1820 inhabiting Iranian rivers namely Alburnus atropatenae Berg, 1925; Alburnus caeruleus Heckel, 1843; Alburnus chalcoides (Güldenstädt, 1772); Alburnus filippii Kessler, 1877; Alburnus hohenackeri Kessler, 1877; Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843; and Alburnus zagrosensis Coad, 2009. A total of 178 specimens were caught by electrofishing during 2010–2012. The b values of the LWR (W = aLb) ranged from 2.672 for A. chalcoides to 3.313 for A. atropatenae. The r2 values ranged from 0.85 to 0.997 and the intercepts were between 0.0041 and 0.0190. All LLRs were highly significant (r2 > 0.96).

AlburnusatropatenaeBerg, 1925 is reported for the first time from the River Ghareh-Chay in the Namak basin, central Iran. Previously, this species has onlybeen reported from the LakeOrumiyeh basin, in northwest Iran. In this report twenty-nine specimens were caught on 8 August 2012. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the specimens were similar to those reported elsewhere for the species., Vrsta Alburnusatropatenae (Berg, 1925) je prvi put zabilježena u rijeci Ghareh-Chay u slivu jezeraNamak u centralnom Iranu. Ranije je ova vrsta zabilježena jedino u slivu jezera Orumiyeh na sjeverozapadnom dijelu Irana. Dana 8. kolovoza 2012. ulovljeno je dvadeset devet jedinki. Morfometrijska i meristička svojstva bila su slična onima već zabilježenima za tu vrstu.

Background. Loach fishes, Cobitis sp., are found in the majority of streams in the southern Caspian Sea basin, but reproductive parameters of them are barely known. Reproductive conditions are key parameters of fish populations and their assessment is very important for several reasons. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to obtain reproductive characteristics of this fish which will be a first report for the basin. Materials and methods. Sampling was done at monthly intervals throughout the year and 226 individuals of Cobitis sp., were caught from the Babolrud River in the southern Caspian Sea basin, north of Iran. Age, sex ratio, fecundity, oocytes diameter, gonadosomatic- and modified gonadosomatic indices were estimated. Regression analyses were used to find relations between fecundity and fish size (length and weight), gonad weight, and age. Results. Sex ratio differed significantly from unity, and the percentage of females was greater than that of males. The mature females and males were longer than 45 and 35 mm in total length (+2 and +1 in age, respectively). The average egg diameter was 0.58 mm. The spawning took place from beginning of May to late July, when water temperature was between 19.1 and 24.6°C. Average GSI value at the beginning of the reproduction period was 8.93% and ranged between 4% and 26% in ripe, mature females. The average of absolute and relative fecundity was calculated 2172 and 590, respectively. The absolute fecundity was significantly related to body weight and gonad weight. Conclusion. Based on the pattern of gonadosomatic index, it was concluded that this fish has a prolonged active reproductive period. Their reproduction in this basin shows some differences from other reports, which might be related to different environmental conditions.

The genus Alburnus, which belongs to the largest teleost family, Cyprinidae, comprises 38 valid species distributed from Europe to northern parts of Southwest Asia. Herein we provide an updated list of the Alburnus seven valid species registered from Iran.

6 Corresponding author Abstract Cobitis avicennae, new species, from the Karkheh and Karun sub-drainages in the Tigris catchment is distinguished from other Cobitis species in the Persian Gulf, Kor and the southern Caspian Sea basins by having a single lamina circularis in males, a small comma-shaped black spot on the upper caudal-fin base, 5½ branched anal-fin rays, 5-6 rows of dark spots on the dorsal and caudal fins, scales below the dorsal-fin base with a small focal zone and pigmentation zone Z4 with 12-17 large, partly fused blotches. It is also distinguished from other Cobitis species in the comparison group by six fixed, diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Background: Morphological studies on fishes are important from various viewpoints. Studies carried out on the Caspian Sea fishes show that many species possess speciation and population formation microprocess running. Morphologicalcharacteristics of the native endangered Caspian lamprey, Caspiomyzonwagneri Kessler1870, from migrating stocks of two major rivers in the southern Caspian Sea were analyzed to investigate the hypothesis population structure and morphologic sexual dimorphism. Results: Univariate analysis of variance of 180 adult specimens showed significant differences between the means of the two studied groups for 15 standardized morphometric measurements out of 31 (P < 0.05). In morphometric trait linear discriminant function analysis, the overall assignments of individuals into their original groups in male and female specimens were 77.1 and 84.0 %, respectively. The discriminant analysis showed a morphological segregation of the studied populations based on the characters predorsal length, interdorsal, interorbital distance, tail length, and first dorsal fin length. The principal component analysis, scatter plot of individual component score between PC1 and PC2, showed the specimens grouped into two areas but with high and moderate overlap between two localities in males and females, respectively. Conclusions: The present study indicated that there are at least two types of morphological forms of Caspian lamprey that had high morphometric differentiation in the rivers across the southern Caspian Sea, which can be considered in conservational policy of this valuable species.