Chondrostoma phoxinus Heckel, 1843
Minnow-nase

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  15.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Croatia (Cetina drainage) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (Glamoĉko, Livansjko and Duvanjsko poljes). Largest population in Lake Busko in Bosnia-Herzegovina threatened by recently introduced Silurus glanis.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from congeners in Western Balkans and Adriatic basin by the following characters: scales on lateral line 78-106; mouth arched, lower lip with very thin cornified sheath; posterior margin of dorsal slightly concave or convex; ½ 13-21/1/8-13 scales in transverse row between dorsal-fin and pelvic-fin origins; dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 8-9½ branched rays; and 23-28 gill rakers (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Reported to occur in fast flowing creeks and rivers (Ref. 26100). Inhabits slow-flowing streams and lakes. Abundant in lakes. Can colonize still water bodies (shallow clay pits without gravel, sand, current, waves or tributaries. Enters subterranean waters. Spawns on submerged plants. Threatened due to its retricted range, water abstraction and pollution. Populations sharply declined in the 20th century because of habitat destruction and pollution (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.