Prespa Spined Loach

Etymology The name of the genus Cobitis is from the Greek word Cobitis, which means small fish. The name meridionalis has a Latin origin and means ‘southern’.   Description This is an endemic species of ray-finned fish from the Cobitidae family. It is a peaceful, largely solitary and nocturnal species that likes to bury itself in the substrate with just the head and tail visible. It has 3 pairs of barbells and a suborbital spine. It is distinguished from other species of Cobitis in Balkan Peninsula by having a different pattern  of coloured patches on the skin, with edges not sharply contrasted. Maximum length of 110 mm in females and 70 mm in males.   Distribution Prespa Lakes. It is found on lake shores and in streams with a sand or mud bottom and underwater vegetation.   Biology It is a seasonal fish species dying after reproduction, which takes place in late April and May. It needs sandy or soft substrate, clean water and submerged water plants for spawning in. This is a fast growing species, which grows only from May till October when the temperature is above 10 ⁰C. It feeds on invertebrates.   Fishing significance No significance.   Threats Potential threat to the species from water abstraction, drought, pollution, habitat loss and introduced species. Conservation actions Habitat protection.