Iberian Roach

Diagnosed from other Cyprinidae in Iberian Peninsula by the following characters: barbels absent; dark midlateral stripe from snout to caudal base; body slender, depth 3.8-4.4 times in SL; 37-42 + 2-3 scales on lateral line; mouth opening upward; and anal fin with usually 8½ branched rays (Ref. 59043).

This species originated as a hybrid that is now recognized as a species and consists only of diploid males. The males mate with triploid females that are current hybrids. These females produce haploid eggs with chromosomes that are identical to those of the males. These matings apparently produce only males.

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9

Feeds on invertebrates, including insect larvae (Ref. 26100).

Lives in schools in lowland rivers and lakes. Feeds on invertebrates, chiefly small crustaceans and insect larvae. Breeds in April-May among aquatic plants and on stony bottoms in shallow water. Threatened due to pollution, habitat destruction and the introduction of other species (Ref. 26100). The species is unique as it represents a stable all-male lineage nested within an almost all-female hybrid lineage (Ref. 49905).

fisheries: of no interest