About Salaria fluviatilis (Asso, 1801)
Fin Structure
The freshwater blenny, Salaria fluviatilis, has a dorsal fin supported by 12 to 13 spines and 16 to 17 soft rays, while its anal fin contains 2 spines and between 17 and 19 soft rays.
Head Markings
A wide band of small dots runs diagonally backward and downward from its eye, and it has a branched cirrus above each eye.
Size
This species reaches a maximum total length of 15.4 cm (6.1 in), with 8 cm (3.1 in) being a more typical total length.
European Distribution
Freshwater blennies are distributed across southern Europe, ranging from Portugal east to western Anatolia, and also live on the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Euboea, Crete, Icaria, Lesbos, Corfu, and Rhodes.
African Distribution
A separate population exists in a small number of streams that drain into the Gulf of Béjaïa in Algeria.
Local Extinction
This species formerly occurred on Cyprus, but 20th-century damming and malaria control projects likely led to its local extinction there.
River Habitat
The freshwater blenny inhabits unpolluted sections of rivers and streams that have moderate to fast currents and streambeds composed of gravel, rocks, and stones.
Lake Habitat
It can also be found in large lakes, along their rocky shorelines.
