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Following an exhaustive review of published molecular data and morphological characters, we propose a new generic classification for the Cyprinodontiform family Aphaniidae. The generic concept applied is based on monophyly, reasonable compactness, and morphological diagnoses. The proposed genera are monophyletic and compact groups that can be diagnosed by a combination of morphological characters. All species in Aphaniidae are morphologically homogeneous and have similar scale patterns, fin positions, and meristic characters. However, only a handful of morphological characters, including colour patterns, permit identification. We propose separation of Aphaniidae into eight monophyletic genera: Anatolichthys, Aphaniops, Aphanius, Kosswigichthys, Paraphanius, and Tellia, in addition to the new genera Esmaeilius and Apricaphanius, which are described for the species of the A. sophiae and A. iberus species groups, respectively. The original description of Aphanius hormuzensis does not fulfil the criteria of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, therefore this taxon is re-described as A. teimorii. Esmaeilius arakensis, E. kavirensis, E. mesopotamicus, and E. pluristriatus are treated as synonyms of E. sophiae. Esmaeilius farsicus is a junior synonym of E. persicus (Jenkins, 1910). The fossil genus Brachylebias is considered as incertae sedis since it lacks diagnostic characters which would permit it to be assigned to any of the extant genera recognised in this study.

Summary The life‐history traits of Aphanius danfordii in Hirfanlı Reservoir were studied on the basis of 2252 specimens caught between April 2008 and April 2009. Maximum age was determined as five years for both sexes. The overall sex ratio of males to females was 1 : 1.21; however, this ratio varied by age and season. Mean total length at age data derived from scale readings were used to estimate growth. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were: L∞ = 126.63 mm, K = −0.09, t0 = 2.35 for females; and L∞ = 61.2 mm, K = −0.19, t0 = 2.76 for males. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) values indicated spawning to be from May to September. Absolute fecundity varied from a minimum of 143 eggs for age one to a maximum of 698 eggs for age five. Relationships between fecundity–length and fecundity–weight were described by the equations: F = 0.0002 TL3.3222 and F = 36.032 W1.0053, respectively. The equation of the relation between absolute fecundity and age was F = 25.372 t1.2343.

Small-sized fish that reaches up to 50-60 mm in total length. It is sexually dimorphic by means of colour and pattern. Males have 6-10 dark grey (or black in breeding conditions) vertical bars. The dorsal and anal fins are pale grey, but fully black in breeding conditions. The caudal fin is colourless with two vertical thin black to grey bars. Females have irregular dark grey spots on both sides of their silver body and lighter interconnected spots on their dorsal side. All the fins are colourless. Scales are reduced like other close Anatolian Aphanius species. DISTRIBUTIONRestricted to the small karstic springs which run down to Lake Acıgöl (Wildekamp et al., 1999). These springs are mainly found at the south of the lake. The north side is mostly occupied by Sodium sulphate production plants.

Oxynoemacheilus sarus, new species, is described from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan drainages in southern Anatolia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in Cilicia (including the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan drainages) by possession of a series of irregularly shaped midlateral blotches, 3–5 dark-brown bands on the caudal fin, a complete lateral line, a forked caudal fin (shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 56–70% of longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe), the caudal peduncle depth 1.4–1.8 times in its length, and a suborbital groove in male individuals. The new species occurs in sympatry with superficially similar O. seyhanicola and O. evreni, and is distinguished by colour pattern as well as morphometric and molecular characters. Molecular data suggest that the closest relatives to the new species in our dataset are O. euphraticus and O. shehabi, which is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.6% and 3.8%, respectively, in the COI mtDNA barcode region.