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Caucasian scraper (Capoeta capoeta) — Cyprinidae

Caucasian scraper

Capoeta capoeta
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Caucasian scraper (Capoeta capoeta) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Asia; mountain rivers and lakes of the Caspian Sea basin and surroundings.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Transcaucasian barb is a cyprinid from West Asia, including the Caspian Sea drainage and adjacent areas. The species grows to about 41 cm and has a streamlined body with an inferior, leathery mouth with a horny edge. It inhabits mainly the drier regions and the upper reaches of mountain rivers and lakes. With its scraping lower mouth it grazes algae, periphyton and growth from stones, supplemented with small invertebrates and detritus. The species is a locally important food fish. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caucasian scraper?

The Caucasian scraper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior, horny scooping mouth for grazing algae off stones in mountain rivers.

Where does the Caucasian scraper live?

The Caucasian scraper lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Western Asia; mountain rivers and lakes of the Caspian Sea basin and surroundings.

How big does the Caucasian scraper get?

The Caucasian scraper grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Caucasian scraper dangerous to humans?

No, the Caucasian scraper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Caucasian scraper edible?

Yes, the Caucasian scraper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Caucasian scraper verified
Scientific name
Capoeta capoeta
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Seven khramulya; Transcaucasian barb verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Asia; mountain rivers and lakes of the Caspian Sea basin and surroundings. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, periphyton and biofilm, plus small invertebrates and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Inferior, horny scooping mouth for grazing algae off stones in mountain rivers. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Capoeta

Anatolian khramulya (Capoeta tinca) — Cyprinidae
Anatolian khramulya
Capoeta tinca
Cyprinidae
 Antalya scraper (Capoeta antalyensis) — Cyprinidae
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 Barrois' scraper (Capoeta barroisi) — Cyprinidae
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 Bergama barb (Capoeta bergamae) — Cyprinidae
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Capoeta bergamae
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 Brown scraper (Capoeta fusca) — Cyprinidae
Brown scraper
Capoeta fusca
Cyprinidae
 Mesopotamian barb (Capoeta damascina) — Cyprinidae
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Capoeta damascina
Cyprinidae

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