Orpheus Dace

Differs from its congeners in Balkan Peninsula by having the following characters: origin of dorsal fin above pelvic base; dorso-hypural distance reaching between eye and nostril when reported forward from dorsal origin; free margin of flank scales faintly marked, not much contrasted against rest of scale, which is also pigmented; scale pocket dark brown; anal fin with blackish membranes and hyaline rays; head length equal to or slightly greater than body depth; mouth subterminal, upper lip conspicuously projecting beyond lower jaw, sometimes including tip of lower jaw; 44-46 + 2 scales on lateral line; dorsal fin and anal fin with 8½ branched rays; posterior margin of anal convex; in stretched anal of individuals larger than about 10 cm SL, distance between tips of first and last branched rays ( with the fin stretched out) 1.0-1.3 times caudal peduncle depth; and head length 26-29% SL (Ref. 59043).

Occurs in small to larger streams and rivers with standing water to moderate current (Ref. 57141). Found mainly in pools (Ref. 57141). Feeds in the water column and in the upper layers on fallen terrestrial insects but it is otherwise omnivorous (Ref. 57141). Spawns in shallow areas with gravel bottom. Some populations are under threat due to water abstraction in dry season (Ref. 59043).

Squalius orpheus, also known as the Orpheus dace, is a cyprinid fish endemic to the Maritsa drainage in Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.