Istrian chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Istrian chub |
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The Istrian chub (Squalius janae) is a type of freshwater fish. It belongs to the carp family, called Cyprinidae. Scientists first found this fish in 2010 in the Dragonja River in Slovenia. Later, they also found it in the Boljunčica and Pazinčica rivers in Istria, Croatia.
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What the Istrian Chub Looks Like
The Istrian chub can grow up to about 19 cm (7 in) long. It has a long head and a big eye with a yellow center. Its snout is pointed, and its mouth opens in a straight line. The upper jaw sticks out a bit.
This fish is bright silver. Its scales come off easily. The fins on its chest, belly, and near its tail are yellowish. Some scales on its sides have small black dots on their edges.
Where the Istrian Chub Lives
The Istrian chub lives only in the Istrian peninsula. This area is at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. You can find it in the Dragonja, Boljunčica, and Pazinčica rivers. It also lives in the smaller streams that flow into these rivers.
The Dragonja River flows west towards the sea. Its riverbed has bare limestone and pools with mud. The Pazinčica River used to flow to the sea. Now, it ends in a cave near the town of Pazin. The Boljunčica River flows south. It ends in a series of canals where a lake used to be.
This fish usually lives in small rivers and streams. These places can get very shallow in summer. Sometimes, they even dry up partly. When this happens, the Istrian chub survives by staying in the deeper pools. Another similar fish, Squalius squalus, lives in nearby rivers. The Istrian chub was only recognized as a different species in 2010.
Reproduction and Diet
Scientists do not know much about how this fish reproduces. They have found adult fish ready to lay eggs in May and early July. They have also found adults that have already laid eggs in late July.
When scientists looked at what the fish had eaten, they found algae. They also found plant material and tiny bits of decaying matter.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists the Istrian chub as a vulnerable species. This means it is at risk. It is considered vulnerable because it lives in a very small area, less than 500 km2 (193 sq mi).
Even though it is common in its local area, and its numbers seem steady, there are still threats. The area often has droughts in summer. This can make the rivers dry up. Also, if other types of fish are put into these rivers, it could harm the Istrian chub.
