Prespa Nase

Etymology The name of the genus Chondrostoma comes from the Greek words – chondro (χονtρο) that means cartilage and stoma (stόµa) - mouth, which describes their mouth.The Latin name prespense is applied to the area of Prespa Lakes that the Prespa nase inhabits.   Description It is distinguished from other species of Chondrostoma in the Balkan Peninsula by the following characteristics: slightly arched mouth, lower lip with thin cornified sheath; 56-66 lateral line scales; 8-9/1/5-6 scales in transverse row between dorsal-fin and pelvic-fin origins; dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 8-9½; and 23-27 gill rakers. This fish can grow to 270 mm in length.   Distribution Europe: Prespa Lakes basin. Lacustrine, enters tributaries during the spawning season.   Biology It inhabits lakes and enters tributaries during the spawning season. It is mostly found in water bodies at high altitude. In Micro Prespa which has no tributary, it spawns on gravel beds, near the lake shore. In Macro Prespa it spawns on sandy beaches and in tributaries and returns directly to the lake. It migrates exclusively at night.  Reproduction takes place in April and May. It feeds upon macrophytes (underwater vegetation), invertebrates (animals without back bone) and algae.   Fishing significance Relatively significant.   Threats Threatened due to water abstraction and the introduction of other species. Conservation actions Regulation of the tributaries and deltas to provide undisturbed spawning migrations.