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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🌡️ Temperate

Volga undermouth

Chondrostoma variabile Yakovlev, 1870
Max Length
35 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
7 yrs
Trophic Level
2.5
Depth
-
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Occurs in lowland and piedmont rivers with moderate to strong current and in reservoirs. Commonly found in river main courses in rapids, sandy shallows and river curves. Larvae and juveniles with superior mouth prey on small invertebrates. After 3-4 months, juveniles measuring about 3-3.5 cm SL change to adult feeding mode and graze benthic diatoms and detritus from hard substrate in habitats with strong currents. Breeds on gravel or rock bottom in shallow riffles of larger rivers or in smaller tributaries with moderate to strong current. Most of the year in the middle and upper stretches of rivers, moves to lower stretches or to larger tributaries during winter. Deposits sticky eggs which adhere to gravel. .

Scientific Name
Chondrostoma variabile
Authority
Yakovlev, 1870
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Temperate
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
35 cm
Lifespan
7 years
Trophic Level
2.5
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
32.00/100

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosed from congeners in Black and Caspian Sea basins by having straight or slightly arched mouth, 9½ branched dorsal rays, 50-62 scales on lateral line, usually 10½ branched anal rays, and large eye, diameter 50-65% of interorbital distance .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Volga undermouth is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Volga undermouth is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Volga undermouth is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Temperate

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish
Trophic Level
2.5±0.1

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00832 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
35cm

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2023

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
32.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.5
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Yakovlev, 1870

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