Kessler's loach
📖 Overview
Kessler's loach (Paraschistura kessleri), first described by Günther, 1889 is a small fish in the family Nemacheilidae (order Cypriniformes). Adults typically reach 5.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Nemacheilidae kept in the hobby.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
i>Paraschistura kessleri is distinguished from its congeners in Iran, except P. turcmenica, by the complete absence of scales (vs. presence of scales at least on the caudal peduncle). It differs from P. turcmenica by having 10-12 distinct, regularly shaped and set dark-brown bars on the flank (vs. bars on the flank irregularly shaped and set, often dissociated into a marbled pattern or a row of midlateral blotches and a row of saddles on the back); from P. bampurensis by the absence of a suborbital flap (vs. presence), a blunt snout (vs. pointed) and a color patter composed of 10-12 dark-brown bars on the flank wider than interspaces (vs. 11-18, usually narrower than interspaces); from P. cristata by the absence of a dorsal adipose crest and procurrent caudal-fin rays in the adipose crest (vs. presence) and an incomplete lateral line (vs. complete). Additional characters useful to identify P. kessleri include the following: dorsal fin usually with 7 1/2 branched; spot at the base of first dorsal-fin rays bold; pelvic fin reaching to about 1-2 eye diameter in front of anus .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Kessler's loach is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.8 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 15. Subtropical; 15°C - 30°C
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nemacheilus kessleri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Nemacheilus kessleri kessleri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Nemacheilus sargadensis | Nikolskii | 1900 | Synonym |
| Nemacheilus sargandensis | - | - | Synonym |
| Nemachilus kessleri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Nemachilus sargadensis | Nikolskii | 1900 | Synonym |
| Noemacheilus kessleri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Noemacheilus sargadensis | Nikolskii | 1900 | Synonym |
| Noemacheilus sargadensis paludani | Bănărescu & Nalbant | 1966 | Synonym |
| Noemacheilus sargandensis | - | - | Synonym |
| Paraschistura sargadensis | Nikolskii | 1900 | Synonym |
| Schistura kessleri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Schistura sargadensis | Nikolskii | 1900 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Kessler's loach.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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