Bressanvido resurgences
Scientific Name
Orsinigobius punctatissimus
Local Name
Lardarui
Small fish in the family of Gobiidae reaching up to 5 centimeters in length, widespread in streams with sandy or muddy beds and particularly common in the resurgence area; here, starting at the end of winter and during spring, males build nests in which females will lay their eggs.
Scientific Name
Cobitis taenia
Local Name
Cagna
A small, slender fish with distinctive barbels around the mouth; this species is particularly hard to spot due to its dimensions, its camouflage coloration and its habit of burying itself into the sand or loam of shallow river beds during the day, except during the breeding season. Spined loach was once occasionally caught to be used as bait for bigger fish.
Scientific Name
Cottus gobio
Local Name
Marson
This fish lives in the same clear, clean streams as the brown trout, its main predator; for its tasty meat the European bullhead is a sought-after fishing prey.
Scientific Name
Salmo trutta fario L.
Local Name
Truta
Brown trout has been introduced in this area starting from late 19th century and it is now widespread due to continued introduction for fishing purposes which, unfortunately, caused the loss of the specific characteristics of the autochthonous population as well as alterations to the aquatic food web.
Scientific Name
Padogobius martensi
Gobiid reaching up to 10 centimeters in length, it breeds during late-spring in areas with gravel substrates where it finds shelter. Males guard the eggs until they hatch.
Scientific Name
Phoxinus phoxinus
Local Name
Salgarèa
This small fish thrives in clear, fast-flowing streams with gravel bottoms and scarce vegetation. During breeding season males develop a nuptial coloration with a scarlet belly and green patches along the sides.
Scientific Name
Esox cisalpinus
Local Name
Lusso
Carnivorous fish with a distinctive long, flattened snout and a mouth full of strong, sharp teeth. Pikes are found in sluggish streams and sandy, muddy or weedy places. This voracious fish is a top predator in freshwater ecosystems and it can grow to a relatively large size, reaching (and exceeding) 1 meter in length.
In the resurgence area, pikes are found across many water basins up to the spring wells, especially during the breeding season from February to April, when they get less wary and can be observed in shallow waters and at the edges of ditches.
Scientific Name
Lethenteron zanandreai
Aquatic animals members of the Agnatha class, adult lampreys resemble small eels, yet characterized by a funnel-like sucking mouth. Today this species is considered rare and at risk of local extinction, and it is therefore subject to protection by the European Union. Resurgences and ditches in Bressanvido are still populated by small groups of lampreys, found cleaning the graveled riverbeds before depositing their eggs.
Scientific Name
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Local Name
Spinosa
Small carnivorous fish reaching about 10 centimeters in length and feeding on gastropods, larvae, fish eggs, fry. This species is very sensitive to pollution and its presence is therefore an indicator of water quality, unfortunately its diffusion today is limited to only a few springs. During the breeding season males develop a bright red belly and build a nest in which many females will lay their eggs.
