Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Family Cyprinidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Cypriniformes Genus Squalius | |
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Similar Alburnus arborella, Sand steenbras, European sea sturgeon, Leucos aula, Telestes muticellus | ||
Squalius squalus, commonly known as the Italian chub, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family Cyprinidae. It is native to southeastern Europe being found in Italy, Switzerland and the former Yugoslavia.
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Description
Squalius squalus can grow to a maximum length of about 60 cm (24 in) and has been known to live for fifteen years. It has a long head, a large eye with an orange-tinged iris, a pointed snout, a long, slightly curved, obliquely sloping mouth cleft, a projecting upper jaw and a lower jaw that is shorter or equal in length to the depth of the caudal peduncle. The colour of this fish is brownish or bronze and the scales do not easily become detached. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are orange-tinged or reddish.
Distribution and habitat
Squalius squalus is native to Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is most common in rivers and streams with riffles and pools, but also occurs in slow-flowing rivers and the shallower parts of lakes.
Biology
Juvenile Squalius squalus are gregarious and are found in the shallows of streams, rivers and lakes. They feed on a variety of plant and animal materials. Larger individuals are solitary and the largest mainly feed on fish. Sexual maturity is reached in the second year of life in both sexes and breeding takes place between April and July. A study found that among juveniles and young fish, males preponderated but this changed with advancing age and among fish over the age of six, all were female. The males congregate in spawning grounds such as gravelly areas at the edges of lakes, shallow riffles or fast-flowing water. The females hollow out depressions in which they shed their sticky eggs which are then fertilised by the males. This species often hybridises with Alburnus arborella and Alburnus albidus.
Status
The IUCN has listed this species as being of "Least Concern" on the basis that it has a wide range, is abundant within that range and no particular threats have been identified.