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Pearl mullet (Alburnus tarichi) — Cyprinidae

Pearl mullet

Alburnus tarichi
Family: Cyprinidae

The Pearl mullet (Alburnus tarichi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pearl mullet is a cyprinid relative (Leuciscidae) endemic to the highly alkaline Lake Van and its feeder rivers in eastern Turkey. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a yellowish tinge. Because it cannot spawn in the salty, soda-rich lake water, in spring it runs up the freshwater rivers in large schools. It eats plankton, insects and algae and is an important local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearl mullet?

The Pearl mullet has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pearl mullet live?

The Pearl mullet lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Pearl mullet get?

The Pearl mullet grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Pearl mullet dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearl mullet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Van-vis sourced
English name
Pearl mullet sourced
Scientific name
Alburnus tarichi
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Tarek; Van bleak verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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