Daska  (Pseudophoxinus stymphalicus)

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1), and listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention (2).

Typical of most cyprinids, the daska is a small, silvery-brown fish, sometimes with a slight purplish sheen in the light, but no remarkable colours or pattern. The fins and tail are virtually transparent, and the tail is forked.

Restricted to parts of the Peloponnese, Aitolo-Akarnania and Lefkas Island, Greece (1) (2).

Occurs in springs and associated wetlands and in lowland water courses with little current (2).

The daska is a short-lived species (2) with a high level of resilience, capable of quickly re-establishing depleted sub-populations (1). Spawning occurs from December to March, and the diet includes invertebrates and plants (2).

The daska is threatened by water extraction and pollution within its range, although in general the population is considered safe with no apparent long-term decline. While some local sub-populations have been severely impacted, many are expected to recover if conditions improve, because of this species’ ability to quickly rebound from depleted numbers (1).

There are currently no known conservation measures targeting this species.

1. IUCN Red List (October, 2008)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. FishBase (November, 2006)
   http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/speciessummary.php?id=9928