Author: (Pollini, 1816)
Comments: Occurs in small groups in a wide variety of habitats such as large lowland rivers, canals, warm streams and lakes.   Avoids very fast waters and usually found on sand bottom (Ref. 59043). A short-lived species which inhabits running clean waters with gravelly or sandy bottoms (Ref. 12291).  Preys on a variety of small invertebrates.  Life span is about 4 years.  Threatened due to pollution, river-bed alterations and competition from introduced <i>Gobio gobio</i>  (Ref. 59043).