Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Leuciscidae (Minnows) > Leuciscinae
Etymology: Chondrostoma: Greek, chondros = cartilage + Greek, stoma = mouth (Ref. 45335). Name referring to the characteristic horny layer on the lower lip (Ref. 57917).
More on author: Berg.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate
Europe: Kuban drainage, Russia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 35.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 59043)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
The only species of the genus in Kuban drainage which can be diagnosed from other congeners in Black and Caspian Sea basins by the following characters: straight mouth, lower lip with thick cornified sheath; 54-62 scales on lateral line; dorsal fin usually with 8½ branched rays; anal fin usually with 10½ branched rays; eye small, diameter 44-52% of interorbital distance; body laterally compressed, width at dorsal fin origin 45-54% of depth; and body lacking dark lateral stripe (Ref. 59043).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Inhabits piedmont and montane rivers with strong current and gravel bottom. Occurs most of the year in the middle or upper stretches of rivers and moves downstream in winter to lower stretches or larger tributaries. Feeds predominantly on detritus, but also takes periphyton, benthic invertebrates, especially during first year of life. Spawns at sites with gravel or hard sand, with rapids and swift current (up to 1.5 m/s), 0.2-1.0 m deep, in clean water with high oxygen concentrations. Very sensitive to water quality, especially turbidity (Ref. 59043).
Begins spawning migration in January-February to uppermost montane reaches, entering small shallow streams with very fast current. Spawning occurs at sites with gravel or hard sand, with rapids and swift current (up to 1.5 m/s), 0.2-1.0 m deep, in clean water with high oxygen concentrations. Females deposit 1000-1250 eggs, during a short period, usually in a single night, but often in several portions. At a given spawning site, most individuals breed over 3-4 nights. Eggs are sticky and adhere to substrate (Ref. 59043).
Kottelat, M. and J. Freyhof, 2007. Handbook of European freshwater fishes. Publications Kottelat, Cornol and Freyhof, Berlin. 646 pp. (Ref. 59043)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00724 (0.00358 - 0.01465), b=3.14 (2.97 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.4 ±0.1 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3; Fec=1,000-1,250).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100).
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![Image of Chondrostoma kubanicum (Kuban\](/images/thumbnails/gif/tn_LEUCIST0.gif "Image of Chondrostoma kubanicum (Kuban\")
