Black Sea chub

biology_ecology

Habitat. Lowland streams, rivers, lower reaches of mountain rivers, lakes, deltas, and backwaters with moderate to no current. Prefers warm water up to 30 – 32 ° C. Tolerant of low oxygen concentrations, sometimes found in marshes and waters with dense vegetation. Tolerant of slightly brackish water. Prefers sand, sand-mud, or mud bottoms. Prefers shallow areas with slow currents along banks, backwaters, small lakes, and similar still waters. Biology. Lives up to 8 years. Spawns first time at 2 – 3 years, males may spawn in first year. Forms spawning aggregations of up to 150 individuals. Spawns April – June at 12 – 28 ° C in 0.1 – 1.0 m deep water over sandy or slightly muddy bottom. Females lay 2 – 3 portions of adhesive eggs on or among aquatic plants. Usually found in groups of 5 – 30 individuals close to bottom, but sometimes close to surface, under floating leaves or other objects. Does not migrate but moves to deeper water in winter. Feeds mainly on insects, their larvae, plankton, benthic invertebrates, and algae.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Petroleuciscus in West Asia by: ○ 8 – 9 ½ branched dorsal rays / ○ 9 – 10 ½ branched anal rays / ● iris orange to red / ● 7 scales between lateral line and dorsal origin / ○ 33 – 40 total lateral line scales / ○ posterior margin of anal convex or almost straight / ○ no black pigments along free margin of each flank scale. Size up to 185 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

distribution

Distribution. Marmara basin east to Lake Sapanca, but absent from Anatolian coast east of Sakarya, except for two records from Samsun. Caucasian Black Sea basin of Russia and Georgia. Lower parts of all tributaries of northern Black Sea and Azov basins except Don. Aegean basin from Struma drainage (Greece) eastwards.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

materials_examined

Inland water: 28700 - 829 (6 spc.), 11.02.1991, Emirgan Park Pool, Istanbul, N. Meric.

A catalogue of the fishes held in the Istanbul University, Science Faculty, Hydrobiology Museum.