Agone

Descrizione

Alosa agone, commonly known as the Agone or landlocked Twaite Shad, is a clupeid fish belonging to the genus Alosa. It is a freshwater, anadromous-derived species, meaning its ancestors were anadromous (migrating between fresh and saltwater) but it has evolved to complete its entire life cycle in freshwater environments. It is characterized by its silvery body, fusiform shape, and a series of dark spots along its flanks, though the number and prominence of these spots can vary. This species is an important component of the pelagic fish communities in the large lakes of Italy and Switzerland.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo

compressed

Colorazione

Silvery flanks, darker bluish-green to greyish-brown dorsum, white belly. Often possesses a series of 1-10 (typically 4-8) dark spots along the lateral line, which can be faint or prominent. The first spot is usually the most distinct.

Tipo di squame

cycloid

Posizione della bocca

terminal

Caratteristiche distintive

Deep, compressed body, Large, deciduous scales, Terminal mouth, Absence of a lateral line on the body (sensory pores are present on the head), Presence of a distinct notch in the upper jaw, Typically 1-10 dark spots along the flank, posterior to the operculum

Pinna dorsale

Single, short-based dorsal fin, located mid-body. Typically 15-19 soft rays.

Pinna caudale

Deeply forked caudal fin.

Pinna pettorale

Relatively small, positioned low on the body. Typically 13-16 soft rays.

Pinne distintive

Pelvic fins are small and located abdominally. Anal fin is relatively long, with 19-23 soft rays.

Consigli per l'identificazione

Habitat

Tipo di acqua

freshwater

Profondità

Pelagic, typically found in open water columns of large, deep lakes, but moves to shallower areas for spawning.

Ambiente

Large, oligotrophic to mesotrophic freshwater lakes and their associated tributaries for spawning. Prefers clear, well-oxygenated waters.

Areale geografico

Endemic to several large lakes in Italy (e.g., Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Lugano) and Switzerland (e.g., Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Geneva). Its distribution is primarily restricted to the Po River basin and some adjacent drainages.

Informazioni sull'acquario

• Livello di cura: expert
• Temperamento: peaceful
• Dieta: filter_feeder
• Dimensione minima della vasca: Not suitable for home aquaria due to size and schooling needs. Requires very large public aquarium setups.
• Temperatura: 10-22°C (50-72°F)
• Livello di pH: 7.0-8.0
• Durezza: Medium to hard (10-20 dGH)
• Compatibilità: Schooling fish, best kept in large groups of its own kind. Not suitable for mixed-species aquaria due to specific environmental and dietary needs.
• Requisiti speciali: Requires very large, deep tanks with strong filtration and significant water flow to simulate natural lake environments. Diet consists primarily of zooplankton, requiring specialized feeding regimens. Highly sensitive to water quality and stress.

Informazioni in natura

• Stato di conservazione: least concern
• Stagionalità: Spawns from late spring to early summer (May-July), with peak fishing activity often coinciding with pre-spawning aggregations.
• Prezzo di mercato: Variable, generally low to moderate for human consumption, but can be higher for bait or specialized markets.
• Importanza commerciale: low
• Sapore: Mild, delicate, somewhat oily.
• Consistenza: Flaky, tender, with numerous small bones.
• Metodi di cottura: Fried, Baked, Grilled, Smoked
• Valore nutrizionale: Good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatti chiave

Specie simili

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Actinopterygii

Ordine

Clupeiformes

Famiglia

Clupeidae

Genere

Alosa

Specie

Alosa agone

Esplora Agone