Chondrostoma soetta Bonaparte, 1840
Chondrostoma soetta
photo by Porcellotti et al.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Adriatic basin from Soca to Po drainages (Slovenia, Italy). Introduced to central Italy.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from other species of Chondrostoma and Protochondrostoma genei in Apennine Peninsula by having the following characters: side lacking broad dark midlateral stripe; body deep, depth 25-34% SL; straight mouth, lower lip with thick cornified sheath; scales on lateral line 54-62; anal fin with 11-13½ branched rays; and 24-29 gill rakers (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Gregarious. Inhabits lakes and lower reaches of main rivers with moderate current, in deep water, over gravel bottom (Ref. 59043). A long-lived species reported to occur in the middle reach of rivers. Feeds on invertebrates and plants. Spawns in April and May. Threatened due to the introduction of other species (Ref. 26100). Declined in large lowland rivers due to habitat alterations (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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