Cobitis tanaitica Băcescu & Mayer, 1969
photo by Naseka, A.M.

Family:  Cobitidae (Spined loaches)
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed); 9.5 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe and Asia: Northern and western Black Sea basin (from Danube to Kuban drainages). Restricted to the lowermost part of Danube, Dniestr and Kuban drainages. More widespread in South Bug and Dniepr drainages. Occurrence is expected in some part of the Baltic basin (Vistula and Odra drainages) (Ref. 59043).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 1-3; Anal soft rays: 5-7. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): zone Z3 usually ending under dorsal base in male; one black spot at caudal base, about size of pupil or eye, oval or round; zone Z3 usually narrower than zone Z2. One lamina circularis. Cannot be distinguished from sympatric hybridogenous species using external characters (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Found in large coastal lakes and lower part of rivers on silt bottom, as well as smaller streams with sand bottoms (Ref. 59043). Adults migrate to larger water bodies in autumn for overwintering (Ref. 59043). Oviparous, possibly with distinct pairing during breeding similar to congeners (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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