Vardar spined loach (Cobitis vardarensis)

Image source: Davide Bellucci | inaturalist.org
General data
- Main name: Vardar spined loach
- Climates: Subtropical, Temperate
- Habitat: Freshwater
- Native: Europe
- Distribution: Vardar (Axios), Pineios (Thessaly), Haliacmon, Gallikos
Classification
- Genus: Cobitis - Spiny loaches
- Family: Cobitidae - True loaches
- Order: Cypriniformes - Carps
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
A widespread loach found in Thessalian Pinios, Mavroneri, Aliakmon, Axios, Loudias and Gallikos river basins (Greece and North Macedonia). It inhabits still or slow- flowing waters with muddy or silty substrates. It can reach 12 cm TL.