Alburnus arborella

The Italian bleak, <em>Alburnus arborella</em>, is a small freshwater fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. Native to northern Italy, this species is found in the Po River basin and other river systems of the northern Italian plains, as well as some areas of the southern Alpine foothills. It is a slender, surface-oriented fish with a characteristic silvery sheen along the flanks and a slightly upturned mouth adapted for feeding near the water surface. <em>Alburnus arborella</em> typically inhabits the calmer, well-oxygenated reaches of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, often forming schools in open water. Specimens can reach a maximum recorded length of approximately 25.0 cm, though most individuals are considerably smaller. Like other bleaks, it feeds primarily on small invertebrates, aquatic insects, and surface-drifting prey. Details of habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature beyond its known Italian distribution. Its conservation status has not been formally evaluated by the IUCN. The species faces potential pressure from habitat degradation and competition with introduced species within its native range in the Po valley and surrounding watersheds.