Percarina maeotica Kuznetsov, 1888

Family:  Percidae (Perches), subfamily: Percinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed); 10.5 cm TL (female); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Europe: Eastern and northeastern Sea of Azov in Gulfs of Taganrog and Temryuk; Bolshoi Akhtanizovski Liman, Kuban delta, rare in Don delta.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-11. Distinguished from Percarina demidoffii by its unique character of having scaled cheek. Differs further by the combination of the following characters: body pigmented; back and flanks grey with numerous dense small dark dots, which may be fused into larger spots along base of dorsal fins (Ref. 59043). Description: D VIII-X, II-III 10-12; A II 8-11 (Ref. 2058)
Biology:  Inhabits coastal fresh and brackish waters with salinities up to 7 ppt, and river mouths. Occurs in groups. From about 6 mm SL feeds actively on planktonic crustaceans, at 16-40 mm on larger copepods and mysids, and from second year of life on Knipowitschia longecaudata, Clupeonella cultriventis, benthic worms, molluscs and insect larvae. Attains first sexual maturity at 1 year of age. Spawns in at least saline part of Gulf of Taganrog in June-July. Adults migrate to open sea soon after spawning. Eggs are released over mud bottom. Eggs hatch in 2 days and larvae first lie on bottom, moving to the surface at 4 days (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 May 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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