Italian Gudgeon
(Romanogobio benacensis)
Image source: Davide Bellucci | inaturalist.org
Romanogobio benacensis is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is found in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
The Latin specific epithet benacensis refers to Lake Garda in northern Italy, which was known to the Romans as Benacus.
Europe: From Po to Soca and Reka drainages. Occurrence elsewhere in northern Adriatic basin is possible. Introduced to central and southern Italy.
Max length: 10 cm
Diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by the following characters: 2-3 scales between anus and anal origin; scales on belly extending forward to a point between pectoral and pelvic bases; absence of longitudinal epithelial crests on predorsal scales.
Occurs in small groups in a wide variety of habitats such as large lowland rivers, canals, warm streams and lakes. Avoids very fast waters and usually found on sand bottom. A short-lived species which inhabits running clean waters with gravelly or sandy bottoms. Preys on a variety of small invertebrates.
Threatened due to pollution, river-bed alterations and competition from introduced Gobio gobio.
