Cobitis  (Cobitis turcica)

Cobitis turcica is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).

A rare, threatened, freshwater fish, Cobitis turcica is a peculiar looking species with an elongated body and several barbels beneath the short head. Like other members of the family Cobitidae, Cobitis levantina has a strong spine under each eye, a slightly arched mouth and very finely furrowed lips (3) (4).

Cobitis turcica is only found in the Central Anatolia wetlands in Turkey (1).

Cobitis turcica inhabits lakes, rivers and marshes (1).

A little-studied species, there is very little information available on the biology and behaviour of Cobitis turcica. 

Cyprinidae species usually have quite a diverse diet, and Cobitis turcica is likely to feed on a variety of insects, crustaceans, molluscs and some plant material. Members of the Cyprinidae family lack teeth in the jaws, but most have a pair of enlarged bones in the throat which possess structures known as ‘pharyngeal teeth’, used to process food (4).

The distribution of Cobitis turcica can be split into five separate populations, all of which are under threat and in decline. Drought and water pollution are the main threats, while competition with introduced species, including Sander lucioperca, is also thought to be affecting this species. In total, Cobitis turcica is thought to occupy an area no greater than 500 square kilometres (1).

Cobitis turcica has not been the target of any known conservation measures.