Taurus Scraper

Distinguished from congeners in Turkey by the combination of the following characters: 60-68 total scales on lateral line; last simple dorsal-fin ray weak, slender, without serrae; one pair of barbels; body plain brown with few scattered small, indistinct black spots and blotches on body in some individual larger than 86 mm SL; 18-21 gill rakers on outer margin of first gill arch (Ref. 82790).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 44

Capoeta caelestis, the Taurus scraper, is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish endemic to southern Anatolia, Turkey. It is less than 20 cm long.

It is not widespread but inhabits many kinds of streams and habitats and is often quite abundant. It spawns in fast flowing waters. The range is from Ilica and Manavgat east to Göksu river.

Capoeta caelestis hybridizes in nature with Capoeta antalyensis, forming a hybrid zone.