Scardinius scardafa (Bonaparte, 1837)
Scardinius scardafa
photo by Mircevski, D.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Tyrrhenian basin from Magra to Garigliano drainages in Italy. Introduced in Lake Scanno (Pescara drainage, Italy), which is the only locality where it is known to survive. Also survived some time in Lake Massaciuccoli (Serchio drainage [north of Pisa], Italy) but the present status of this population is still unknown.
Diagnosis:  Distinguished from its congeners in Mediterranean basin by the combination of the following characters: 37-40 scales along lateral line; anal fin with 9-10½ branched rays; 12-14 gill rakers; body depth 31-36% SL; ventral head profile lacking conspicuous angle at articulation of lower jaw; and all fins dark grey (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits lakes and swamps in or near aquatic vegetation. Threatened due to proposed stocking of Scardinius hesperidicus and other cyprinids (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (A3e) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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