| Family: |
Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches) |
| Max. size: |
7.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Europe: Albania, Greece (Aoos, Semani, Shkumbini and Erzeni drainages). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 35-36. Differs from all European and western Anatolian Nemacheilinae in having a stout caudal peduncle (depth 1.17-1.38 times in its length), long paired fins and barbels, and a deeply forked caudal fin. Differs also in having pectoral fin length 22.4-25.5% SL; pelvic fin length 18.2-20.1% SL; anterior rostral barbel length (8.1-9.9% SL) and posterior rostral barbel length (6.1-8.8% SL) (Ref. 55660). Also reported to be diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by having caudal peduncle depth 1.4-1.6 times in its length, eye diameter 16-18% HL, no suborbital flap in males, lateral line reaching only to anal base, and 8 ½ branched dorsal rays (Ref. 59043).
Description: dorsal fin with 4 simple and 7-9 branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 5 branched rays; pectoral fin with 10-12 rays; pelvic fin with 7-9 branched rays (Ref. 55660). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in creeks and streams with stone bottom and in riffles (Ref. 59043). Seems to prefer clean and clear water with stony, gravely or sandy bottoms, with quite fast current (Ref. 55660). Also found in stream sections characterized by quieter and shallow areas (Ref. 55660). A short-lived species which inhabits highland water courses (Ref. 26100). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
