Morphological characteristics of Parsi cichlid Iranocichla persa (Teleostei; Cichlidae)

To provide more morphological data of I. persa, in this study, morphological characteristics along with scales and otolith were studied. Fish samples were collected from Khorgo spring and transferred to the laboratory. Fish were classified into three class sizes based on standard length. Based on the results, the size of the first class was different in 12 relative traits but did not show a significant difference in the number of anal and dorsal fin rays. The general shape of otoliths was trapezoidal, and antistrostrom was not developed in small fish (SCI, SCII), while rostrum was more developed in larger fish than antistrostrum. Also, the ventral edge of the otolith was wider and serrated with age. Examination of the structure of the scales showed that in the first class, the relative length of the scales (JSL) was significantly different. Based on this study, it can be concluded that in addition to past documented molecular data, some morphological characteristics of fish bodies, otoliths, and scales can also be used to identify native Iranian cichlid fish. It was also found that phenotypic characteristics in this species show degrees of ontogenetic diversity (dependent on fish growth and length) that should be examined in detail.