Romanogobio tanaiticus Naseka, 2001
Don whitefin gudgeon
photo by Naseka, A.M.

Family:  Gobionidae (Gudgeons)
Max. size:  10.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Don drainage.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosed from its congeners in Black Sea basin by having the following characters: dorsal fin in middle of body, predorsal length equal to post-dorsal length; predorsal scales with longitudinal epithelial crests; dorsal fin with 7½ branched rays; anal fin with 6½ branched rays; 39-42 + 2 scales on lateral line; 14-16 scale rows around caudal peduncle; snout shorter than or equal to postorbital distance (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Inhabits bottom of moderately flowing lowland rivers, preferring sand bottom. Nocturnal. Feeds on insect larvae and other large benthic invertebrates. Locally threatened due to pollution and river engineering. Populations most likely decline due to construction of large reservoirs in Don in 20th century (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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