Samii riffle minnow

biology_ecology

Habitat. Streams and rivers with moderate to fast-flowing, well-oxygenated water and hard substrate. Also in lakes and reservoirs. Spawns in streams on gravel. Biology. Females larger than males. Feeds mainly on benthic insect larvae.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Alburnoides in Caspian basin and Hari drainage by: ○ horizontal eye diameter equal to or larger than interorbital distance / ○ ventral keel partly to completely covered by scales / ○ body depth at dorsal origin usually greater than head length / ○ snout short, slightly rounded / ○ mouth terminal, upper and lower lips equally projecting / ○ tip of mouth cleft situated at a horizontal line with middle of eye / ○ 47 − 52 + 2 − 3, usually 48 − 51 + 2 − 3, lateral-line scales / ○ 4 pharyngeal teeth in long row on right 5 th ceratobranchial / ○ 11 − 15 ½, usually 12 − 14 ½, branched anal rays / ○ 7 − 10, usually 8 − 9, gill rakers. Size up to 85 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

discussion

Remarks. Molecular studies suggest that A. eichwaldii hybridises with A. samiii in small coastal rivers south of Kura.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

distribution

Distribution. Caspian basin from Lenkoran lowlands (north of Talesh Mountains) in Azerbaijan east to Sefid in Iran.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia