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Orontes bleak (Alburnus qalilus) — Cyprinidae

Orontes bleak

Alburnus qalilus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Orontes bleak (Alburnus qalilus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Syria

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Description

The Orontes bleak is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Levant in the Middle East. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with large scales. As a social schooling fish it swims in rivers, streams and lakes and eats algae, insect larvae, small invertebrates and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orontes bleak?

The Orontes bleak has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Orontes bleak live?

The Orontes bleak lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Syria

How big does the Orontes bleak get?

The Orontes bleak grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Orontes bleak dangerous to humans?

No, the Orontes bleak 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Orontes bleak sourced
Scientific name
Alburnus qalilus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Syria sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Alburnus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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