Adriatic salmon (Salmo obtusirostris)

Description

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Adriatic salmon fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Adriatic salmon description

The Adriatic salmon (Salmo obtusirostris) differs from most other salmon species by not spending any period of time in the ocean. Instead, the Adriatic salmon is a true freshwater fish that spends its entire life in rivers ⁽²⁾. The Adriatic salmon has a long, slender body and pointed snout, which minimises drag in the water, making it an efficient swimmer ⁽²⁾. The upperparts are greenish-brown, the belly is yellowish-brown, and the sides are patterned with numerous red and black spots ⁽²⁾. The large tail fin is unforked or just slightly forked ⁽²⁾.

Although similar in appearance to the brown trout (Salmo trutta), the Adriatic salmon can be distinguished by a thicker upper jaw and by the mouth, which is positioned lower on the face ⁽²⁾.

Also known as

Adriatic trout, softmouth trout.

Synonyms

Salmo montenegrinus, Salmothymus obtusirostris.

Size

Average length: 40 cm ⁽²⁾

Maximum length: 70 cm ⁽³⁾

Weight

80 - 425 g ⁽⁴⁾

Adriatic salmon biology

The Adriatic salmon, which usually occurs in shoals ⁽³⁾, feeds on small fish, insects, and other small aquatic invertebrates ⁽²⁾.

It spawns in April or May ⁽³⁾. A small number of the population reach maturity and begin to spawn in their third year, but the majority spawn in their fourth year of life ⁽⁴⁾.

Adriatic salmon range

The Adriatic salmon occurs in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, where it is restricted to a few rivers in the Krka, Jardo, Nereveka and Zeta river basins. It has also recently been introduced into the Zrnornica River ⁽¹⁾. Although it does not, like many other salmon, migrate into the ocean, it does migrate up and down the rivers it inhabits ⁽²⁾.

Adriatic salmon habitat

This freshwater fish inhabits cold streams and small rivers at high altitudes, where it favours deep, undisturbed places ⁽³⁾.

Adriatic salmon status

The Adriatic salmon is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Adriatic salmon threats

The Adriatic salmon faces a number of threats, including overfishing for sport and for food, as well as habitat destruction and competition with introduced species ⁽¹⁾.

Accidentally introduced trout (often escapees from fish farms) can be aggressive predators, which outcompete the Adriatic salmon for food and suitable areas of habitat ⁽²⁾. Hybridisation with these invasive trout is also a concern ⁽¹⁾.

This already endangered species is further threatened by the destruction of its habitat ⁽¹⁾. Dams, created for hydroelectric power, block the movement of the Adriatic salmon up and down rivers as it searches for food or suitable areas in which to spawn ⁽²⁾.

Climate change also poses a long-term threat to the Adriatic salmon ⁽¹⁾, as an increase in global temperatures is predicted to result in a decrease in freshwater in the Mediterranean basin region ⁽⁶⁾.

Adriatic salmon conservation

There are currently no known conservation measures in place for the Adriatic salmon ^{(1) (5)}. It has been recommended that a number of key rivers in which this species occurs should be given full protection and guarded from any habitat alteration ⁽⁵⁾.

Further research into the ecology and biology of the Adriatic salmon is also required, which will help inform any future conservation measures for this endangered fish ⁽⁵⁾. 

Find out more

Learn more about how climate change will impact the Mediterranean basin:

• WWF: Climate Change in Mediterranean Basin:
  http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/aboutcc/problems/rising_temperatures/hotspot_map/mediterranean_basin.cfm

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Dorsal fin

The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish.

Hybridisation

Cross-breeding between two different species or subspecies.

Invertebrates

Animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms and molluscs.

Spawn

To produce or deposit large quantities of eggs in water.

Spawns

Produces or deposits large quantities of eggs in water.

References

1. IUCN Red List (February, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlsit.org/
2. Hildyard, A. (Ed.) (2001) Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World. Marshall Cavendish Corporation, New York
3. Fishbase – Adriatic Salmon (February, 2011)
   http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?ID=6210
4. Treer, T., Aničić, I., Safner, R., Odak, T. and Piria, M. (2005) Post-spawning condition of endemic soft-muzzled trout Salmothymus obtusirostris in the Zrnovnica River. Ribarstvo, 63(3): 85-90.
5. Maitland, P.S. (1986) Conservation of Threatened Freshwater Fish in Europe. Council of Europe, Strasbourg.
6. WWF: Climate Change in Mediterranean Basin (May, 2011)
   http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/aboutcc/problems/rising_temperatures/hotspot_map/mediterranean_basin.cfm