Albanian Roach

Diagnosed from Pachychilon macedonicum by having numerous dark brown marks of various shapes and sizes on body (a dark stripe distinct in life in juveniles, rarely in preserved individuals), thick lower lip with a long median lobe, 40-44 + 2 scales on lateral line, and 8-10½ branched rays on anal fin (Ref. 59043). Caudal fin with 19 to 20 soft rays (Ref. 40476).

Eggs adhere to substrate (Ref. 59043).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

A gregarious species which inhabits near shore lakes and slow-flowing stretches and backwaters of streams and rivers (Ref. 59043). Feeds on fish, invertebrates (Ref. 26100), insect larvae and periphyton (Ref. 59043). Spawns over gravel beds or among vegetation at temperatures above 12°C (Ref. 59043).

fisheries: commercial

Pachychilon pictum, the Albanian roach, is one of a few species of cyprinid fish so named, found in Albania, France, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is threatened by habitat loss.