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Mossul bleak (Alburnus mossulensis) — Cyprinidae

Mossul bleak

Alburnus mossulensis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mossul bleak (Alburnus mossulensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24.2 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Mosul bleak is a slender carp-like fish from the Tigris-Euphrates basin in the Middle East. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a shiny flank, typical of the bleaks. It forms schools in rivers, streams and lakes and feeds on insects, small invertebrates and plant matter at or near the water surface. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mossul bleak?

The Mossul bleak has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mossul bleak live?

The Mossul bleak lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Mossul bleak get?

The Mossul bleak grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Mossul bleak dangerous to humans?

No, the Mossul bleak is harmless to humans.

Is the Mossul bleak edible?

Yes, the Mossul bleak is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mosul-alver verified
English name
Mossul bleak verified
Scientific name
Alburnus mossulensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mossul bleak sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Alburnus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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