| Family: |
Cobitidae (Spined loaches) |
| Max. size: |
13.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 9.5 cm SL (female); max. reported age: 5 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 7.69999980926514; dH range: 10 - 15, potamodromous |
| Distribution: |
Europe and Asia: Atlantic drainages from Loire northward; Baltic basin south of 61°N; upper olga and Ural drainages; northern Black Sea basin (except Danube). Ancient records from Ardour and Garonne drainages in France require confirmation (Ref. 59043). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5; Vertebrae: 40-42. Caudal fin with 15-16 rays (Ref. 2196). Single small spot on upper caudal base. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): zones Z1-Z4 usually well differentiated, extending backward to caudal peduncle; height of blotches of zone Z4 usually less than 2 times in their length; if more than 2 times, then height equal to or greater than horizontal eye diameter. One lamina circularis (Ref. 59043). |
| Biology: |
Adults occur in slow-flowing and still waters with fine sandy substrate (Ref. 9696). They occur in the Baltic Sea at salinities of up to 5 ppt (Ref. 59043). Filter sand for food particles (Ref. 36876). Nocturnal, stays hidden under rocks or buried in the sand or mud during the day (Ref. 30578). Oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Spawn in spring; scatters eggs into mats of plant material (Ref. 36876). Eggs are found attached to gravel and weed in shallow, flowing water (Ref. 41678). Larvae hide under vegetation and in debris until beginning of exogenous feeding (Ref. 59043). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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