Salmo labecula, Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2012

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 640-641

Salmo labecula

Common name. Eastern Mediterranean trout.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Salmo in Mediterranean basin by: ○ black spots present on flank in individuals of all size groups / ○ flank without red spots in individuals larger than about 70 mm SL / ○ black spots numerous (more than about 50), smaller than pupil, irregularly shaped, scattered on middle of flank, usually absent on back / ○ 11–12 parr marks, distinct up to about 150 mm

Habitat. Headwater streams with cold, clear water, moderate current, gravelly and pebbly bottom.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Further reading. Turan et al. 2014b (description).

SL in male, about 200 mm SL in female / ○ four broad, dark-brown or grey band on flank, absent or indistinct in individuals smaller than approximately 200 mm SL / ○ 2–10 black spots behind eye, 6–13 on opercle / ○ maxilla and supramaxilla narrow, depth of upper jaw 2.8–3.8 times in length of maxilla / ○ 109–115 lateral-line scales counted until end of hypural complex / ○ head length 25–27 % SL / ○ caudal peduncle depth 10–11 % SL / ○ 23–25 scale rows between dorsal origin and lateral line / ○ 16–17 scale rows

between anal origin and lateral line / ○ 14–15 scale rows between adipose origin and lateral line / ● 21–23 gill rakers / ○ head not dorso-ventrally flattened. Size up to 450 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye: Ecemiş, lower Zamantı and Çakıt in Seyhan drainage.

Habitat. Headwater streams usually springs-fed, with cold and clear water, moderate current, gravel, and pebble substrate. Occasionally also enters reservoirs.

Biology. Spawns December–January.

Conservation status. VU; found in more than 5 independent populations, thought to be in decline, mainly due to overfishing.

Further reading. Turan et al. 2012b (description); Küçük et al. 2024 (distribution).

Salmo labrax ; Çoruh drainage, Türkiye; ~ 130 mm SL.© M. Özuluğ. Salmo labrax ; Crimea, Ukraine; ~ 300 mm SL.