Phoxinus colchicus

biology_ecology

Habitat. A wide range of cold and well-oxygenated habitats, from small, fast-flowing streams to large rivers. Spawns on clean gravel beds in flowing water. Biology. Gregarious, rheophilic. Spawns April – July, in schools, fractional spawners, females lay sticky eggs deep in clean gravel. Feeds on invertebrates, algae, and detritus.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Phoxinus in West Asia by: ● belly between pectoral bases entirely covered by scales in male, absent in female / ● a supraorbital ridge margined by a longitudinal depression extending from nostrils backwards / ● caudal-peduncle depth 2.1 – 2.9 times in its length / ○ 75 – 91 total lateral line scales. Size up to 82 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

distribution

Distribution. Caucasian Black Sea basin of Russia and Georgia south to Çoruh (Borçka, Türkiye). Records from Hopa (eastern Türkiye) not confirmed.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

materials_examined

GEORGIA • Ilia State University, Institute of Zoology, Tbilisi, no catalogue numbers • 2 ♂♂, SL 32.9 – 43.6 mm, 1 ♀, SL 76.5 mm; Kintrishi River; 41 ° 48 ′ 13 ″ N, 41 ° 46 ′ 42 ″ E; Jul. 2018; B. Japoshvili leg. • 4 specs, SL 30.6 – 34.8 mm, 1 ♀, SL 59.3 mm; Natanebi River, Georgia, 41 ° 55 ′ 35 ″ N, 41 ° 58 ′ 2 ″ E; Aug. 2016; B. Japoshvili leg.

Novel data support validity of Phoxinus chrysoprasius (Pallas, 1814) (Actinopterygii, Leuciscidae)