Knipowitschia thessala (Vinciguerra, 1921)
Thessaly goby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  4.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); 4.3 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Greece. Known only from the Pinios river system of Thessaly, which empties into the Thermaikos Gulf of the northern Aegean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 30-32. Anterior oculoscapular and preopercular head canals present; scales mostly restricted to axillary patch, but with scattered scales along lateral midline of caudal peduncle. Males with numerous thin vertical striae on flank.
Biology:  The original habitat was described as a spring. A short-lived species which is threatened due to pollution, habitat destruction and water abstraction (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (B2ab(ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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