Phoxinus apollonicus Bianco & De Bonis, 2015

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Phoxininae
Max. size:  6.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: River Moraca and its tributary Zeta, both belonging to the Lake Skadar drainage in Montenegro. This species possibly represents the endemic species of the Albanian ichthyogeographic district.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Phoxinus apollonicus is unequivocally distinguished from all other congeners by the reduced number of teeth on pharyngeal bones, usually four teeth on external row, but also 3 or 2, and 1 or 0 in the inner row. It also differs from other congeners by the combination of the following characters: the holotype has patches of breast scales connected anteriorly; the lateral line is nearly completed, posteriorly reaching the vertical line crossing the upper and the lower insertion of the caudal fin; flank of body with a marked mid-lateral longitudinal stripe extending from tip of snout to the base of caudal fin; a distinct spot at base of the caudal fin; a marked black spot on the opercular bone; depth of caudal peduncle, 2.2-2.8 times in its length and 1.8-2.5 in body depth; and eye diameter less than the preorbital distance(Ref. 105385).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.