Belica (Leucaspius delineatus) fish species and information / pictures of Belica - Leucaspius delineatus

Belica (Leucaspius delineatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Leucaspius delineatus

Common Name
Belica

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 2 - 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 13; Vertebrae: 36 - 42. Diagnosed from other cyprinids in central and eastern Europe by having incomplete lateral line with about 8-12 pored scales, keel covered by scales between pelvic origin and anus, mouth superior, and 11-13? branched anal rays (Ref. 59043). A small fish with large silvery scales and an inconspicuous intense silvery band along each side. Lateral line incomplete, sometimes absent, with perforated scales. Anal fin longer than dorsal fin. Mouth turns upwards. The lower edge of the body between the pelvic fins and the vent forms a sharp keel. The scales are very loosely attached and fall away if the fish is handled. Also Ref. 40476.

Classification

Classified By

Heckel, 1843

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe and Asia

Distribution

Europe and Asia: From Lower Rhine and northern Germany eastward to southern Baltic basin; Black Se basin south to Rioni drainage, northern and western Caspian basin (south to Kura drainage); Aegean Sea basin (from Maritsa to Nestos). Absent in Italy, Adriatic basin, Great Britain and Scandinavia (except southernmost Sweden). Widely introduced in France, upper Rhine drainage and locally in Great Britain and Swiitzerland. In Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna).

Range

64°N - 38°N, 1°E - 60°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

2 °C

Water Temperature To

32 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

1 m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 10.0; dH range: ? - 15 pelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1 m (Ref. 27368)

Trophic Level

3.08 s.e. 0.36 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

9.0 cm

Common Length

6.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (29 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.248; tmax=2.0; Fec=500)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)