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Neretva chub (Squalius svallize) — Cyprinidae

Neretva chub

Squalius svallize
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Neretva chub (Squalius svallize) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fresh water of the Dinaric karst, in the Neretva basin and surroundings, in moderately flowing karst rivers and connected lakes.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Neretva chub is a slender cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae (Leuciscidae) reaching about 28 cm. Like other chubs it has a broad head, a large mouth and sturdy, large scales; the body is silvery-grey with a dark back. The species is endemic to the fresh water of the Dinaric karst of the western Balkans, mainly the Neretva drainage and surroundings in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in moderately flowing karst rivers and connected lakes. As an omnivore it eats insects, insect larvae, small fish and plant material. In spring it spawns on gravel, where the eggs stick to the stones. The Dinaric karst is a hotspot of endemic freshwater fish, with many species confined to a single drainage.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Neretva chub?

The Neretva chub has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender chub with a broad little head and large scales; endemic to the Dinaric karst rivers of the western Balkans.

Where does the Neretva chub live?

The Neretva chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Fresh water of the Dinaric karst, in the Neretva basin and surroundings, in moderately flowing karst rivers and connected lakes.

How big does the Neretva chub get?

The Neretva chub grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Neretva chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Neretva chub is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Neretva chub edible?

The Neretva chub is rarely eaten.

More photos

Neretva chub (Squalius svallize) — Cyprinidae — 2
Università degli Studi di Firenze (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MSNF-SPE
Neretva chub (Squalius svallize) — Cyprinidae — 3
Università degli Studi di Firenze (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MSNF-SPE
Neretva chub (Squalius svallize) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Harry Govier Seeley (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Neretva chub inferred
Scientific name
Squalius svallize
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Natural range
Fresh water of the Dinaric karst, in the Neretva basin and surroundings, in moderately flowing karst rivers and connected lakes. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Insects, insect larvae, small fishes and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Spawns in spring on gravel in flowing water; the eggs stick to stones. sourced
Special features
Slender chub with a broad little head and large scales; endemic to the Dinaric karst rivers of the western Balkans. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Squalius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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