Small aquatic and terrestrial arthropods; some plants and detritus
Social life
Gregarious
Lifespan
Up to 8 years
Conservation status
Spain
Vulnerable (Red Data Book)
When to see it
Fish · in Cabañeros
In the Estena river, according to the park guide.
Months of the yearly cycle
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Breeding
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
Photos of the Southern Iberian Chub
A Southern Iberian Chub, a spindle-shaped fish with large, silvery scalesPhoto: David Perez, CC BY 3.0Photo 1 of 2
Southern Iberian Chub in profile, with a marked lateral linePhoto: David Perez, CC BY 3.0Photo 2 of 2
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Identification of the Southern Iberian Chub
It is a medium-sized cyprinid, under 30 centimetres, that lives up to eight years. It has a spindle-shaped body, a large head and a very marked lateral line.
Habitat and distribution of the Southern Iberian Chub
A species endemic to the peninsula, spread across the whole southern half.
Breeding of the Southern Iberian Chub
It breeds from April or May to July and lays several times in that season. Males mature at two years and females at three.
Diet of the Southern Iberian Chub
It eats mainly small arthropods, most of them aquatic; the website stresses that it also uses insects that fall into the water.
The Southern Iberian Chub in Cabañeros
The guide cites it in the Estena and stresses a curiosity: this river is the only place where males and females have been found that could correspond to the other species that, together with the chub, gave rise to the Calandino. See the Calandino page.
According to the CSIC, it is one of the otter’s main prey.
Can it be seen in Cabañeros?
From the bank of the Estena pools, in clear water. Swimming is not allowed in the rivers of the park.
Sánchez-Pérez, A. y Zamora-Marín, J. M. (2021). Cacho – Squalius pyrenaicus. En: Enciclopedia Virtual de los Vertebrados Españoles. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC). vertebradosibericos.org
OAPN (2011). Guía de visita del Parque Nacional de Cabañeros. PDF
