Italian spined loach
(Cobitis bilineata)
Classification
Species:
Cobitis bilineata
Genus:
Cobitis - Spiny loaches
Family: Cobitidae - True loaches
Order: Cypriniformes - Carps
Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Distribution
Europe: Northern Adriatic basin, from Po to Soca drainages (Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland), Durance system (Rhône drainage, France) and Zrmanja drainage (Croatia). Introduced to most of Italy (including Sardinia), Lake Bañolas (northeastern) Spain) and upper Rhine drainage (Switzerland)
Short description
Two black spots at caudal base. Pigmentation: presence of a narrow line of minute spots, usually ending below or in front of dorsal origin on zone Z3 in males. In mature males, zones Z2 and Z4 often continuous dark stripes.