Terek barbel
📖 Overview
Inhabits piedmont and montane stretches of rivers and streams with stone or gravel bottom. Occurs from upstreams to uppermost reaches in mountains. Feeds on invertebrates, terrestrial insects and diatoms. In still habitats, this species takes terrestrial insects and zooplankton as food. Undertakes upriver migration and spawns in shallow tributaries. Larvae and yearlings stay in spawning streams while adults migrate downriver. Abundant in the upper reaches of rivers and invasive in Don drainage .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Black and Caspian Sea basins by having the following characters: 7-9 gill rakers; dorsal fin with 8½ rays; posterior ¼ of predorsal area laterally compressed, not forming a keel; predorsal length longer than postdorsal length; lower lip with median pad, lacking posterior groove; lateral line with 60-70 scales; adults with dorsal height 10-15% of SL, tip rounded, when depressed not reaching anus; last simple dorsal ray spinous, with 30-60 short serrae posteriorly; flexible part of last simple dorsal ray about 30% of ray length; anal not reaching caudal base .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Terek barbel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate; 10°C - 22°C
🌿 Ecology
invertebrates, terrestrial insects and diatoms
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Terek barbel.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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