Alburnus chalcoides (Guldenstadt, 1772)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 314

Alburnus chalcoides

Common name. Caspian Shemaya.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Alburnus in Caspian basins by: ○ 52–70+2–5 lateral line scales / ○ usually 8½ branched dorsal rays / ○ 12–17½ branched anal rays / ○ ventral keel between posterior pelvic base and anus present and well developed / ○ 18–22 gill rakers / ○ anal origin ½–2½ scales behind dorsal base, below dorsal ray 7–8 in some individuals / ○ ventral keel exposed for 3–12 scales in front of anus / ○ a faint, dark-brown mid-lateral stripe. Size up to 400 mm SL, resident fish in rivers or streams usually much smaller.

Distribution. Aral and Caspian basins, mostly western to southern coast, rarely in Ural and Volga.

Habitat. Lower parts of larger streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and brackish sea areas. Lives near surface, tolerating salinities up to 14 ‰. Migrates long distances upstream from sea or lakes to headwaters of streams in foothills and montane regions. Spawns in small rivers or streams with strong currents on submerged vegetation or gravel bottoms. Lacustrine and reservoir populations spawn in tributaries.

Biology. Semi-anadromous, riverine, and lacustrine populations. First spawn at 2–4 years, females 1 year later

Alburnus demiri ; Tahtalı drainage, Türkiye; 88 mm SL.