Vimba melanops (Heckel, 1837)
Macedonian vimba
photo by Margies, P.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  32 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Eurasia: Northern Aegean basin from Maritza to Pinios drainages (Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia).
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by the following characters: anal fin with 15-18½ (usually 16½) branched rays; back not keeled behind dorsal base; in spawning season, males with a broad black midlateral stripe, belly and check white (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits rivers and streams, usually with relatively swift current (Ref. 59043). Also occurs in lakes and lowland water courses with little current. Feeds on invertebrates and plants (Ref. 26100). Spawns among stones in large rivers (Ref. 59043). Threatened due to habitat destruction, angling and water abstraction (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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