Chondrostoma vardarense Karaman, 1928
Chondrostoma vardarense
photo by Margies, P.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe and Asia: Aegean basin from Maritza to Pinios drainages (Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia); and Adriatic basin in Aoos drainage (Greece, Albania).
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from congeners in Balkan Peninsula by having straight mouth, lower lip with cornified sheath, 57-66 scales on lateral line, ½8-9/1/5-6 scales in transverse row between dorsal and pelvic origins, 8½ branched dorsal rays, 9½ branched anal rays and 28-38 gill rakers (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Occurs in lowland water courses (Ref. 26100). Inhabits from rivers to brooks, over stone to rock bottom with fast to strong current. Moves to tributaries to spawn in rapids and riffles among stones (Ref. 59043). Threatened due to pollution and water abstraction (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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