Trichonis dwarf goby (Economidichthys trichonis)

Scientific name: Economidichthys trichonis Economidis & Miller, 1990

The Trichonis dwarf goby (Economidichthys trichonis) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Europe, endemic to the oligotrophic Lake Trichonis, western Greece.

Biology

With a mature female at 18 mm SL, this is the smallest European freshwater fish; 2.1 mm at hatching its larvae are the smallest free-living European vertebrates. Found in areas covered by aquatic vegetation, in reed stands; in sheltered bays down to 15 m; at the mouth of tributary streams and has been observed in small shoals near the surface, over open areas of gravel or stones. Feeds on invertebrates, mainly on cladocerans and larvae of mussel Dreissena polymorpha during the spawning season. Spawns after first winter, from February to May, with eggs (0.7 x 0.6 mm) deposited in a cavity (usually inside standing, broken reeds); these are cleaned and guarded by the male. A single nest may occupy up to 2000 eggs spawned by several females; with females spawning at least twice during the season. Eggs hatch in about a day, the larvae

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Economidichthys trichonis
Family
Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
3.0
Depth range
15 m (49 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; depth range ? - 15 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Europe: endemic to the oligotrophic Lake Trichonis, western Greece.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Endangered (EN) (B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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