Luciobarbus steindachneri (Almaça, 1967)
Luciobarbus steindachneri
photo by Ribeiro, F.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Barbinae
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Portugal and Spain in Guadiana and Tago drainages. This species is suspected to be a hybrid or a species of hybrid origin.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Iberian Peninsula by having the following characters: orbit close to but not reaching dorsal head profile when viewed laterally; last simple dorsal ray spinous, serrated posteriorly along 1/2- 2/3 of its length; lateral line with 44-50 + 2-3 scales; head length 26-32% SL; snout length 2.2-2.9 times in HL; lower lip thick, with (70% of individuals) or without median pad; lower jaw tip covered by lower lip (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Occurs in water bodies on low-lying plains, with little current (Ref. 26100). Also inhabits upper reaches of rivers with slow current. Preys mainly on planktonic crustaceans, supplemented by insects and algae (Ref. 59043). Threatened by pollution, habitat destruction and introduction of other species (Ref. 26100). Size reaches up to at least 40 cm SL (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (A2ce) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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