Squalius tenellus Heckel, 1843

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: River Cetina, also karstic streams in Livanjsko polje, Lake Busko and Mandečko near Livno; possibly introduced to Lake Blidinje in Bosnia-Herzegovina more than 100 years ago.
Diagnosis:  Can be diagnosed from its congeners in Western Balkans and Adriatic basin by the following characters: 76-85 scales on lateral line; ½ 15-17/1/6-7 scales in transverse row from dorsal to pelvic origins; 28-32 scales rows around caudal peduncle; and mouth terminal (Ref. 59043)
Biology:  Inhabits slow-flowing and still waters and lakes. Enters subterranean waters during winter or droughts. In lakes, adults feed on small fishes. Threatened due to water abstraction, pollution and its small range. Its sharp decline in 20th century was attributed to habitat loss and pollution (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 (B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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