Lamprehuela

The lamprehuela is a short-lived fish in which, interestingly, females live for a year longer than males, with females living for up to five years, but males living only up to four years (2) (6). Lamprehuela mature shortly after reaching a year old (7), with spawning commencing in late March and ending in July (7). During this time, sexually mature females release hundreds of eggs, (up to 1,400 eggs), into the water (2), in a minimum of two batches (7). Lamprehuela feed on invertebrates, particularly chironomid (non-biting midge) larvae and Ostracoda (small shrimps) (6), as well as detritus and algae (2) (8).

In Spain, there is legislation which ensures the maintenance of minimum river flow, which should lessen the occurrence of destructive river alterations, such as dams. Spanish law also bans the use of live bait (2) (5), however, the commercial trade in live bait remains a potential threat in Portugal (2). To ensure the long-term survival of this threatened fish it has been recommended that the release of exotic fishes should be carefully controlled, and water flow and quality should be strictly monitored (2).

This small bottom-dwelling fish, a member of the Cobitidae, or loach family (4), has an elongated, pale body patterned with dark spots (2). The head, also dotted with small spots, bears three pairs of barbels (fleshy projections) around the mouth (2), and a forked, erectile spine sits below each eye (2) (4). Male lamprehuela are smaller than females (2).

A bottom-dwelling, freshwater fish, the lamprehuela inhabits the middle and lower parts of rivers, where there is a gentle current, sandy or gravel bottom, and submerged aquatic vegetation (1) (5) (6).

The lamprehuela occurs in rivers of the central and southern Iberian Peninsula (1), but has also been introduced, presumably by fish anglers, to rivers in northern Spain (1) (5).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1), and listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention (3).

This small loach faces a number of threats which have led to the reduction of formerly abundant populations (1), and local extinctions in some river tributaries (2). The extraction of gravel and diversion of water for agriculture, along with pollution and dam construction, has destroyed suitable habitat for the lamprehuela (2). The introduction of exotic fish species has also had a negative effect on populations, and the commercial trade in lamprehuela as live bait could potentially pose an additional threat to this Vulnerable species (1) (2) (5).

Presence of mandibular barbel 4-8 times in HL. Pectoral fin length 4.3-5.4 times in SL in males, 4.3-9.0 times in females. 6-7.5 branched dorsal rays. One lamina circularis.

During courtship, 'the male follows the female and, after both enter dense vegetation (e.g. filamentous algae), the male forms a complete ring around the female's body behind the dorsal as the female releases the eggs' (Ref. 59043).

A short-lived species which inhabits middle and lower reaches, with shallow waters, sandy bottoms and submerged plants (Ref. 11240). Secretive, bottom-dweller found in slow-flowing streams (Ref. 38442). Feeds on invertebrates and plants. Diet consisted mainly on ostracods, chironomid larvae, benthic prey of small size and macrobiotid eggs during winter (Ref. 38442).

A short-lived species, secretive in nature (Ref. 38442). Adults inhabit middle and lower reaches, with shallow waters, sandy bottoms and submerged plants (Ref. 11240). During dry periods, they can survive in very small water bodies (Ref. 59043). Feed on invertebrates and plants. Spawn in May to July. Oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are small (1.7 mm) and sticky, placed within dense vegetation if available (Ref. 59043). Threatened due to pollution, habitat destruction and the introduction of other species (Ref. 26100).

fisheries: of no interest

Cobitis paludica is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cobitidae. It is found in Portugal and Spain. Its natural habitats are rivers and intermittent rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.