Bulgarian Spined Loach

Presence of a black spot at caudal base, very small or sometimes absent, rarely two small spots. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): zone Z4 with 12-21 roundish or squarish blotches, sometimes indistinct or fused two by two; flank not pigmented below zone Z4. Two laminae 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. Adults occur in highland and lowland water courses with little current, in springs and associated wetlands and in lakes (Ref. 26100), with sand or silt bottom (Ref. 59043). Oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

fisheries: of no interest

Cobitis strumicae is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cobitidae. It is found in Bulgaria and Greece.