Zope (Ballerus ballerus) fish species and information / pictures of Zope - Ballerus ballerus

Zope (Ballerus ballerus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ballerus ballerus

Common Name
Zope

Biology
Occur in large lowland rivers with backwaters and also in eutrophic lowland lakes. Feed mainly on zooplankton in open water of backwaters and other still water bodies. Spawn along shores of rivers or in backwaters on submerged vegetation and also on gravel in moderate current. Migrate upriver in long distances to suitable spawning sites. Juveniles stay in backwaters and flooded zones along rivers. Enter freshened parts of seas to forage. Life span reaches more than 10 years. Locally threatened by habitat alterations along river banks.

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Carps (Cypriniformes)
Family
Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region
Eurasia
Distribution
Eurasia: large rivers draining to Baltic Sea , North Sea , Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea, where it is abundant in Volga, rare in Ural. Appendix III of the Bern Convention.
Range
63°N - 43°N, 4°E - 56°E

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
5 °C
Water Temperature To
25 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Trophic Level
3.21 s.e. 0.36 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
40.0 cm
Common Length
20.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.18-0.19; tm=4-5)
Threat To Humans
Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
Least Concern (LC)