Conservation status of freshwater fish of Albania Original Research Article

Of the 67 species of freshwater fish and one species of lamprey present in Albania, 43 species are endemic to the north Mediterranean area and 13 have been introduced and have established populations. Five other species have been introduced, but do not reproduce. There are no data available on the status, distribution and ecology of the endemic fishes of Albania with the exception of the Salmonidae living in Lake Ohrid (Salmothymus ohridanus, Salmo letnica and Salmo letnica lumi). Data on the morphology and biology of these three salmonids are presented. Research on the freshwater fish of Albania is badly needed.