Squalius illyricus Heckel & Kner, 1858

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Cetina and Krka drainages in Croatia. Earlier possibly present in Soca drainages (Slovenia, Italy) but no record since 1850 (Ref. 59043). Reported from Albania (Ref. 26100).
Diagnosis:  Differs from its congeners in Western Balkans and Adriatic drainages by having the following characters: scales on lateral line 46-54; a broad dark spot on scale pocket and a narrow series of pigments along free margin of each flank scale (indistinct in juveniles); head depth 68-80% HL in individuals over 9 cm SL; posterior margin of anal convex or almost straight; dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 8-9½ branched rays; eye diameter 18-34% HL in individuals 9-15 cm SL, 16-18% in individuals over 25 cm SL; snout blunt, dorsal profile convex; lower jaw short, length less than depth of operculum; 5th infraorbital bone small or absent; mouth subterminal; and fins yellow to black in life (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits streams with swift water and lakes in karstic areas (Ref. 59043). Occurs in water courses on low plains, with little current. Feeds on invertebrates. Threatened due to habitat destruction, pollution and the introduction of other species (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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