South European nase

Lau ( Protochondrostoma genei )

The Lau ( Protochondrostoma genei ) is a European freshwater fish which is found in the north of Italy and Slovenia in the rivers Vomano, Tronto, esino, Cesano, Metaurus, Foglia, Po, Adige, Brenta, Piave, Livenza, Tagliamento and Isonzo. Reports of occurrences in the Upper Rhine, Upper Danube and Inn are apprehensive and not occupied.

Features

The Lau is similar to the nose. It is 15 to 20 cm long, in most cases, and can reach a maximum length of 30 cm. His body is elongated and laterally only slightly flattened. The body height is 20 to 27% of standard length. The back is bright and greenish gray, the body sides and belly silvery, the fins yellowish white, reddish their edges. Above the lateral line is a dark longitudinal binding extends from the posterior edge of the gill cover to the caudal fin root. The mouth is slightly inferior, verhornt the narrow lower lip. On the Pharyngealia very rarely is a row of teeth with five or six teeth.

• Fins formula: Dorsal 11, Anal 11-12.
• Dandruff formula: SL 50-62.
• Reuse gill rays: 14-19.

Way of life

The life of Lau is poorly understood. He lives sociable and close to the ground in the barbel region of larger and medium-sized, oxygen-rich rivers with gravel and rubble substrate and feeds mainly on small invertebrates, besides also of algae. The breeding season extends from March to June.