Nemacheilidae

Paphlagonian Sportive Loach

Oxynoemacheilus banarescui

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• West Asia
• Small
• Tropical fish

Oxynoemacheilus banarescui, the Paphlagonian sportive loach, is a species of stone loach from the genus Oxynoemacheilus. It is endemic to the Filyos River in northern Turkey where it is currently widespread and abundant. However, the population appears to be declining and the causes of this are thought to be increased development of the drainage basin and the construction of new dams.