Telestes polylepis
Overview
Telestes polylepis, the Croatian dace, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related species. It is found only in a 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) area of karst landscape in Ogulinsko polje, northwestern Croatia.
Telestes polylepis faces severe population decline primarily due to water abstraction and dam construction that fragments its riverine habitat. Pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has degraded water quality in its limited range. The species' restricted distribution in specific river systems makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and extreme weather events.
Habitat
This freshwater fish inhabits clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams with rocky or gravel substrates in the Balkans. It prefers well-oxygenated waters with moderate to strong currents and is typically found in upstream sections of river systems.
