Pearlfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in subalpine lakes. Preys on benthic invertebrates. Breeds in lake tributaries or streams connecting lakes in shallow areas with current and near shore. Has been extirpated since 1980 from two of five lakes it originally inhabited .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Differs from its congeners in Danube drainage by having the following unique characters: almost cylindrical body, 62-67 + 3-4 scales along the lateral line, abdomen posterior to pelvics rounded, in breeding males large, scattered tubercles on top and side of head. Other characters useful to distinguish this species include the following combination of characters: rounded and stout snout, subterminal mouth, grey or slightly yellowish iris and fins, and 8-9 ½ branched dorsal rays .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pearlfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pearlfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Pearlfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate; 5°C - 20°C ; 49°N - 47°N, 12°E - 14°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pearlfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Pearlfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pearlfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pearlfish · perlfisch |
| 🇩🇪German | Frauenfisch · Perlfisch |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leuciscus meidingeri | Heckel | 1851 | Homotypic |
| Rutilus frisi meidingeri | Heckel | 1851 | Synonym |
| Rutilus meideingerii | Heckle | 1851 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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