CR

Pseudophoxinus elizavetae

Local name: Sultan Sazlığı Minnow

Declining

Overview

Pseudophoxinus elizavetae, also known as the Sultan Sazlığı minnow, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related species. It is found in several springs and streams in Kayseri Province in Turkey.

Pseudophoxinus elizavetae faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water extraction in its limited range within the Struma River basin. Agricultural runoff and urban development have significantly altered water quality in the streams where this endemic cyprinid occurs. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and pollution events.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic cyprinid inhabits small streams and tributaries within the Struma River drainage system in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. It prefers clear, well-oxygenated waters with rocky or gravel substrates in mountainous regions.

FRESHWATER· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sultan Sazlığı Minnow classified as Critically Endangered?
Sultan Sazlığı Minnow is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Pseudophoxinus elizavetae faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water extraction in its limited range within the Struma River basin. Agricultural runoff and urban development have significantly altered water quality in the streams where this endemic cyprinid occurs. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and pollution events.
Where does Sultan Sazlığı Minnow live?
Sultan Sazlığı Minnow occurs in Türkiye. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sultan Sazlığı Minnow?
The main threats to Sultan Sazlığı Minnow are 11.1, 2.1, 7.2, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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