Central Anatolian bleak
Alburnus nasreddini
Overview
Alburnus nasreddini, also known as the Central Anatolian bleak or Eber bleak, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Alburnus, that is endemic to Turkey. It was previously found in Lake Eber and Lake Akşehir and their tributaries, but now is only found in one tributary of Lake Akşehir, the Ortaköy River. Massive amounts of water abstraction and heavy pollution has made most of its previous habitat uninhabitable for this species.
Alburnus nasreddini faces severe threats from water extraction and dam construction that have dramatically altered its native river systems in Turkey. Agricultural irrigation demands and hydroelectric development have reduced water flows and fragmented the species' already limited habitat. Pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development further degrades water quality in the remaining suitable areas.
Habitat
This endemic cyprinid fish inhabits freshwater river systems in Turkey, particularly favoring flowing waters with rocky or gravelly substrates. The species requires well-oxygenated streams and rivers with specific water chemistry conditions typical of its native Anatolian watersheds.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in LEUCISCIDAE
Threatened in Türkiye
Frequently asked questions
Why is Central Anatolian bleak classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Central Anatolian bleak live?
What are the main threats to Central Anatolian bleak?
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