Author: Bogutskaya & Zupančič, 2010
Comments: Specimens were collected from small rivers which become shallow in summer, often partly dried, and where fish survive in remaining pools.  The river flows over a bare limestone bed, alternating with silted pools and the Dragonja section had clear and colorless water, temperature of 21.4°C, pH 8.8, a mineralization of 0.32 gl-1, and has slow current.  No other fishes were caught in the stream.  Both females and males adults with completely ripe gonads, were found in the middle of May and at the beginning of July; post-spawning adults in July. The smallest mature male was 10.14 cm SL and adult males retain the nuptial tubercles until at least August. Stomach contents of specimens collected (April 10, 2009) upstream from the confluence of Dragonja and Pinjevec, contained no food, while those collected at the same date but 5 km downstream, contained algae, plant remains and detritus; the difference is coincident with the spring water temperature rise and start of plant growth in the areas of sampling (Ref. .84537).