Kingdom Animalia Subfamily Luciopercinae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Percidae Scientific name Romanichthys valsanicola Higher classification Romanichthys Order Perciformes | |
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Genus Romanichthys
M. Dumitrescu, Bănărescu & N. Stoica, 1957 Similar Percarina, Zingel, Perciformes, Ammocrypta, Common zingel | ||
Romanichthys is a genus of fish in the perch family. It contains the single species Romanichthys valsanicola, known as the sculpin-perch, asprete, or Romanian darter.
Contents
This fish was scientifically discovered and described in 1957 by the Romanian scientists M. Dumitrescu, P. Bănărescu and N. Stoica. Local names include: asprete, poprete, sforete. Endemic to a very restricted area in southern Romania, it was found in the upper reach of the Argeş river and in two of its tributaries: Râul Doamnei and Vâlsan. Due to hydrotechnical constructions and deterioration of its habitat, it survived only in the tributary Vâlsan.
Description
Romanichthys valsanicola is a small, greyish-brown fish growing to about 10–12 cm (4–4.5 in) long, covered with small, rough scales. It can be distinguished from other European perches by the two clearly separate dorsal fins, the first with eight or nine spines, the anal fin having 7½ branched rays and there being 58–68 scales along the lateral line.
Biology
The time of reproduction is in May and June. The female lays 120 to 150 eggs under rocks. This fish is active at night and feeds on the aquatic larvae of insects such as stoneflies (Plecoptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera) and mayflies (Ephemeroptera). It hides under stones in the day.
Status
This species is an endangered freshwater fish and is found on the red list of IUCN where it is rated as "Critically Endangered". Its area of distribution has drastically diminished and it is now considered to be the European fish genus with the most restricted range. The last remaining population in the Vâlsan River is totally reliant on the amount of water released by the reservoir immediately upstream. A Romanian NGO is working to preserve this species with the financial support of the Regional Environmental Center.