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Kura nase (Chondrostoma cyri) — Cyprinidae

Kura nase

Chondrostoma cyri
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Kura nase (Chondrostoma cyri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
24.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Kura-Aras river basin (Caucasus)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Kura nase is a cyprinid from the Kura-Aras basin in the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, silvery body with an inferior mouth bearing a sharp, horny edge on the lower lip. With this it scrapes algae and growth from stones in rivers and streams. The fish is a local food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kura nase?

The Kura nase has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior mouth with a horny lower lip for scraping algae off stones

Where does the Kura nase live?

The Kura nase lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Kura-Aras river basin (Caucasus)

How big does the Kura nase get?

The Kura nase grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Kura nase dangerous to humans?

No, the Kura nase is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Kura nase edible?

Yes, the Kura nase is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Kura nase verified
Scientific name
Chondrostoma cyri
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Kura nase verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Kura-Aras river basin (Caucasus) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm from stones inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Algae-scraping river nase; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Inferior mouth with a horny lower lip for scraping algae off stones 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
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chondrostoma

More from the family Cyprinidae

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