Leuciscus danilewskii (Kessler, 1877)
Danilevskii's dace
Leuciscus danilewskii
photo by Artaev, O.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  24 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 7 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Don drainage. Records of Leuciscus leuciscus from Don drainage may possibly refer to Leuciscus danilewskii.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from congeners in Europe by the following characters: subinferior or subterminal mouth; subequal jaws, upper jaw slightly longer; upper lip tip about level with center of eye; snout not projecting; lower jaw articulation in front of or below anterior margin of eye; horizontal branch of preoperculum as long as or slightly longer than vertical branch; and lateral line with 35-41 + 2-4 scales (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Prefers to live in main course of rivers with clear water, moderate to slow current, sand or sand-clay bottom. Commonly stays on bottom at 0.3-3 m deep. Avoids turbid and still waters. Occurs in small groups of individuals of similar size. Feeds mainly on insects and their larvae, molluscs, also on other benthic invertebrates and algae. Breeds in stretches with heavy current and stone bottom. Eggs are sticky and slightly transparent. Larvae which don't possess adhesive glands lie passively on bottom (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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