Belica (Leucaspius delineatus)

Scientific name: Leucaspius delineatus Heckel, 1843

The Belica (Leucaspius delineatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 2–32°C (36–90°F).

Belica care at a glance

Temperature: 2–32°C (36–90°F)

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. 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Leucaspius delineatus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 9.0
Common length: 6.0
Depth range: 0–1 m (0–3 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 10.0; dH range: ? - 15 pelagic; potamodromous; depth range 0 - 1 m
Climate: Temperate
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).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.248; tmax=2.0; Fec=500)