Tagus Chub
📖 Overview
Adults occur in rivers and marshlands . An ubiquitous species which inhabits small to medium-sized streams with Mediterranean water regime. May be confined to very small pools during summer. Adults feed mainly on small arthropods. They spawn on stone to gravel bottom in shallow riffle habitats with fast-flowing water. Involved in the Iberocypris alburnoides hybrid complex . Threatened due to pollution, habitat destruction and the introduction of other species .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 9; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9; Vertebrae: 37 - 40. Differs from its congeners in Iberian Peninsula by the following characters: 37-42 + 2-3 scales on lateral line; 3-5 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic origin; infraorbital bones broad, width of infraorbitals 2 and 5 about 4-5 times width of sensory canal on same bones; a black crescentic mark on scale pocket of each flank scale (often indistinct in life); head length about equal to body depth; caudal peduncle depth usually 2.0-2.6 times in its length; and mouth terminal, snout pointed . Other diagnostic features include communication preopercular-mandibular and infraorbital canals present; and supraethmoid wide and short .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Tagus Chub is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Temperate; 41°N - 36°N, 9°W - 0°
🌿 Ecology
small arthropods
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Iberian Chub · Southern Iberian chub · Tagus Chub · cacho |
| 🌍CES | jelec pyrenejský |
| 🌍EUS | Hegoaldeko katxoa |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | iberianturpa |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Escalo-do-Tejo · Escalo-do-sul |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Пиренейский голавль |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cacho |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leuciscus pyrenaicus | Günther | 1868 | Homotypic |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Tagus Chub.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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