Barbus prespensis Karaman, 1924

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Barbinae
Max. size:  30 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Prespa Lakes basin in Albania, Greece and Macedonia.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Balkan Peninsula by the following characters: dorsal profile of snout distinctly concave in large individuals; last simple dorsal ray spinous, weakly serrated posteriorly, serrae restricted to about median half of ray; lateral line with 50-54 + 3 scales; body covered by small, weakly marked black spots; and lower lip thick, fleshy, with a median lobe (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  A short-lived species which occurs in lakes and water bodies on low-lying plains, with little current. Feeds on invertebrates and plants (Ref. 26100), preying mainly on Gammarus in lakes and on insects in streams (Ref. 59043). Spawns in tributaries or on gravel beaches in lake, especially near underwater springs (Ref. 59043). Threatened by overfishing and water abstraction (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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