Schizothorax argentatus

Schizothorax argentatus, Russian Iljinskaja Marinka ( илийская маринка ), synonymous Racoma argentata, Schizothorax kolpakowskii or Schizothorax orientalis is an endemic species of carp living from Central Asia.

Description

The Iljinskaja Marinka is similar barbering and has a dark - green to brown coloration. It is usually 40 inches long, also significantly greater in exceptional cases. The largest specimens of 10 kilograms have been caught in Lake Balkhash or Ili. Have also been reported of specimens of 12 kilograms or more, with lengths up to 100 inches and a maximum service life 17-19 years.

Dissemination

Schizothorax argentatus is endemic in the Lake Balkhash, the Ili river in Kazakhstan and Lake Ala -Kul in Kyrgyzstan. In addition, in the circles Suiding, Emin and Huocheng the autonomous Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Way of life

Little is known about the lifestyle of Iljinskaja Marinka. Mature spiders spawn on stone or gravel base. The fish eggs are highly toxic in the untreated state. He is prey fish by predatory fish such as carp Aspiolucius esocinus.

Threat status

Schizothorax argentatus is classified in Category I of the highly endangered species. In Lake Balkhash and Ili River this species is probably already extinct. The main reasons are uncontrolled overfishing, poaching and the introduction of alien fish species such as European perch, pike and catfish. In the Ili River, the population of Schizothorax argentatus was considerably drawn by changing the flow rate and the water levels affected. Ichtyologists have begun to carry out artificial propagation experiments at Iljinskaja Marinka and been able to create hybrids.

Websites

• Website in Russian:
• Sketches

Notes and References

• Carp fish
• Cyprinidae