Spirlin

Diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by following characters: anal fin with 12-17½ branched rays; snout length equal to or smaller than eye diameter; eye diameter about equal to interorbital distance; and mouth terminal (Ref. 59043). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196).

Spawns in small groups and deposit eggs deep into gravel (Ref. 59043).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 13 - 18; Vertebrae: 38 - 40

Feeds on insects, crustaceans and diatoms (Ref. 9696).

Inhabit streams and rivers in foothills with well oxygenated, fast-flowing water. All age classes occur in open water of streams and small rivers (Ref. 59043). Found also in rivers with very calm waters. Feed on insect larvae and dead insects (Ref. 9696), as well as on crustaceans and diatoms. Spawn in small groups and lay eggs deep into gravel with swift current. Locally threatened by stream regulation, trout stocking and pollution. Attain a maximum size of up to about 13 cm SL (Ref. 59043).

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually