Romanogobio ciscaucasicus (Berg, 1932)
North Caucasian longbarbel gudgeon
photo by Naseka, A.M.

Family:  Gobionidae (Gudgeons)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe and Asia: Western Caspian basin from Kuma (Russia) to Yalaminskie (Azerbaijan) drainages.
Diagnosis:  Posterior neurocranium width 71.4-83.9% of cranium roof length; anterior neurocranium width 30.9-40.7 of cranium roof length; eye diameter 1.5-2.6 times in interorbital distance; supraorbital and infraorbital sensory cephalic canals disconnected (Ref. 52363). Diagnosed from its congeners in Black and Caspian Sea basin by the possession of the following characters: eye diameter 1.5-2.6 times in interorbital distance; predorsal scales with longitudinal epithelial crests; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12-16; dorsal fin with 7½ branched rays; anal fin with 6½ branched rays; anus closer to pelvic origin than to anal origin; greatest head width 59-72% of dorsal head length (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits streams and rivers stretches with fast current and gravel bottom (Ref. 59043). Feeds on Trichoptera larvae (Ref. 59043). Spawns at the end of May (Ref. 1441).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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