Prespa Bleak

Etymology The name of the genus Alburnus comes from the Latin word albus, meaning white or whitish which is associated with the white-silvery colour of the scales of this fish. The name belvica has the same meaning – white, and it has the same common name. Description This is an endemic species from the Cyprinidae family. The bleak has a laterally flat body covered with tiny scales which are bright and easily falling off. It has an upper mouth which is facing upwards. The dorsal fin begins behind the end of the pectoral fin and ends before the anal fin.  The body from the upper side is greyish green, while from the side it is silverywhite and the colour of the belly is milky white. The Prespa bleak is distinguished from other species of Alburnus in Europe by having the following characteristics: 30-38 gill rakers; anal origin about 1-2½ anal scales behind base of last dorsal ray; anal fin with 12-15½ branched rays; 48-58 + 3 lateral line scales; depth of caudal peduncle is 2.0-2.1 times its length; The bleak can grow up to 200 mm.   Distribution Europe: The Prespa Lakes. During most of the its life span it stays in the open waters. Usually it forms large shoals which move under the water surface. During the winter period large groups of individuals are sheltered at certain places protected from the wind and waves.   Biology The bleak migrates to spawning sites in tributaries and along the lake shore (on pebbles and gravel in the surf zone) during the night in small and large shoals, where there are only one or two females. All the other are males. The number of eggs is varied and depends upon the age and weight of the individuals but it can reach 10 000. Bleak spawn from May till August.   Fishing significance High significance for commercial and recreational fishing.   Threats There is a potential threat to the species from water abstraction, drought, pollution and introduced species which could impact the whole lake. Bleak is the main prey for breeding Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) and cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and other fish eating birds.   Conservation actions Strictly limited fishing quotas.