Romanichthys valsanicola Dumitrescu, Bănărescu & Stoica, 1957
Asprete
Romanichthys valsanicola
photo by Lazar, N.

Family:  Percidae (Perches), subfamily: Luciopercinae
Max. size:  11 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, non-migratory
Distribution:  Europe: Danube drainage in Romania; previously known from upper River Arges and its tributaries Vâlsan and Râul Doamnei. Today, restricted to 1 km of upper River Vâlsan upstream of Bradet village, but adjacent basins still insufficiently surveyed.
Diagnosis:  Distinguished from other species of Percidae in Europe by the following combination of characters: first dorsal fin with 8-9 spines; 58-68 scales on lateral line; mouth inferior, horse-shoe shaped; lacking air-bladder; two dorsal fins clearly separated from each other; and anal fin with 7½ branched rays (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits fast-flowing, cold and clear mountain streams. Usually hidden under stones. Active at night (Ref. 59043). Feeds on larvae of rheophilic insects, mainly mayflies and stoneflies (Ref. 26173). Territorial. Spawns possibly in second half of May. Deposits 120-150 eggs under stones (Ref. 59043). On the edge of extinction due to deforestation, construction of roads, extraction of stones and dam constructions (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 (B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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