| Family: |
Cobitidae (Spined loaches) |
| Max. size: |
9 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Europe: Black Sea basin in Dniestr, Dniepr, and Don drainages; Baltic basin in Vistula and Odra drainages. |
| Diagnosis: |
Presence of a midlateral row of dark blotches along flank. Ventral adipose crest on caudal peduncle absent or less developed than dorsal one. No row of small spots directly below midlateral blotches (if present, then most prominent between pelvic and anal bases). Dorsal origin above or in front of pelvic origin. Distance between the two black spots at caudal base much less than their diameter. Interspaces between midlateral blotches usually with dark pigmentation (if there is little or no dark pigmentation, then no dark spots in narrow whitish saddle behind head. Body above midlateral blotches uniform brown or with small whitish to yellowish spots or speckles. |
| Biology: |
Adults occur in a wide array of habitats from small lowland streams to fast-flowing piedmont rivers with clear water and sand to gravel bottom. Usually do not occur in large lowland rivers. They are found burrowed in sand, avoiding mud or silt, sometimes in gravel (Ref. 59043). Mature individuals spawn in batches (Ref. 59043). Eggs, 1.1-1.2 mm in diameter, lay scattered over sand, gravel or other structures (Ref. 59043). Absence of external gill filaments in free larvae but transparent bump on forehead prominent (Ref. 59043). Larvae start to feed after 6 days at 3.1-4.2 mm TL (Ref. 59043). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 July 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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