Cobitis hellenica Economidis & Nalbant, 1996

Family:  Cobitidae (Spined loaches)
Max. size:  9 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Endemic to Greece (Ref. 26100). Found in Louros and Kalamas drainages (Ref. 59043).
Diagnosis:  Two lamina circularis. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): zone Z4 with 12-18 blotches, often squarish, triangular, or fused two by two; flank pigmented to below zone Z4; zone Z3 present in juveniles, in large adults (> 70 mm SL) wider than zone Z4, densely pigmented and fused with zone Z1 on caudal peduncle (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  A short-lived species. Adults inhabit marshlands, rivers, springs and associated wetlands (Ref. 26100), in still to moderately flowing water on sand to silt bottom (Ref. 59043). Oviparous, possibly with distinct pairing during breeding similar to congeners (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,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 Not for publication.