Baltic gold loach

Baltic loach
Systematics
without rank:	Otophysa
Order :	Carp-like (Cypriniformes)
Subordination :	Loach- like (Cobitoidei)
Family :	Wolffish (Cobitidae)
Genre :	Sabaneevia
Type :	Baltic loach
Scientific name
	Sabanejewia baltica
	Witkowski , 1994

The Baltic gold wolffish ( Sabanejewia baltica ) is a benthic freshwater fish species from the family Cobitidae (wolffish) within the order of the Cypriniformes (carp-like).

Distribution, habitat and biology

Compared to the other members of the genus, the species has a relatively large range. It is native to the Dniester , Dnieper and Don , which belong to the Black Sea catchment area . It was also detected in the Vistula and the Oder , which drain into the Baltic Sea.

The Baltic golden loach inhabits a large number of different river habitats, but avoids larger rivers in the lowlands. It prefers clear water and a sandy or gravelly substrate in which it digs itself occasionally. The spawning season is in spring. The eggs are 1.1–1.2 mm in size, have a sticky surface and are deposited on the substrate. The development time of the eggs is about 50-60 hours at a water temperature of 22 ° C. The larvae reach a size of 3.1-4.2 mm and start feeding after six days.

The species is classified as "not endangered" by the IUCN .

features

Sabanejewia baltica reaches a standard length of 9 cm. As with all species of the genus Sabanejewia , the animals are characterized by a series of black spots on the sides of the body. In contrast to some other species of the genus, there are no further dark pigmented areas below these spots. Many individuals have even, dark pigmentation on the flanks. On the base of the caudal fin, there are two dark spots on each side of the body, the distance between them being less than their diameter. The dorsal fin begins at or in front of the pelvic fins.

swell

↑ Maurice Kottelat, Jörg Freyhof: Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes. Ed .: Kottelat. Cornol, 2007, ISBN 978-2-8399-0298-4 .
^ Freyhof, J. 2011. Sabanejewia baltica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T135655A4171932. doi: 10.2305 / IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T135655A4171932.en .
↑ Sabanejewia baltica on Fishbase.org (English)

[1] Maurice Kottelat, Jörg Freyhof: Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes. Ed .: Kottelat. Cornol, 2007, ISBN 978-2-8399-0298-4 .

[2] Freyhof, J. 2011. Sabanejewia baltica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T135655A4171932. doi: 10.2305 / IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T135655A4171932.en .

[3] Sabanejewia baltica on Fishbase.org (English)