Geographical distribution
Its European range includes Mediterranean drainages from the Aude to the Var, the upper Rhine and western Danube tributaries. An old Tarn record resulted from confusion with the Hérault’s Dourbie and does not establish a Garonne population.
- Native range : Mediterranean drainages from the Aude to the Var
- Native range : Upper Rhine
- Native range : Western Danube tributaries
Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.
Distribution sources
- FishBase — Telestes souffia : Distribution · accessed on
Identification
Nearly cylindrical body, rounded snout and yellow-orange lateral line beneath a violet band.
The retained canonical name is Telestes souffia. Older accounts under Leuciscus souffia document this same blageon; they do not justify transferring facts from other Telestes species.
Habitat
Permanent clear-water rivers over stony or gravel bottoms.
Clean gravel and continuity of flow are important features of the habitat described by OFB. The biology of a flowing-water fish does not establish a fishing rig.
The genetic analysis by Dubut and colleagues distinguishes populations now isolated and suggests recent colonisation of the Argens linked to its connection with the Durance through the Provence Canal. It does not justify moving fish between basins or applying a technique from another Telestes.
Diet
Mainly larvae and aquatic or aerial insects, also diatoms and filamentous algae.
Behaviour
By day it shoals in the current; at night the shoals disperse and fish hide.
OFB describes daytime shoals in flowing areas and night-time dispersal towards shelter. This rhythm is not turned into a guaranteed capture timetable.
Indicative biological size
Around 100–160 mm, or 10–16 cm, according to the Côte-d’Or fishing federation.
Fishing context and precautions
Gard, 2022: a float-fishing example on the Auzonnet, bait drifting downstream. Check local rules.
The Var federation mentions pole fishing with a fine float; the Côte-d’Or federation also reports fly catches. These uses provide neither a detailed rig nor permission at every venue; check local rules before targeting the fish.
A distinctive feature
The violet stripe varies in intensity with season and sex, notably in spawning males.
The 2012 genetic study suggests that a connection through the Canal de Provence may have favoured recent colonisation of the Argens from the Durance. This is a hypothesis based on the populations studied, not a demonstrated history for every basin.
Sources and review
Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.
- OFB / Patrinat — Blageon, Telestes souffia · accessed on
- Fédération de pêche de Côte-d’Or — Blageon · accessed on
- DORIS / FFESSM — Blageon, fiche sous Leuciscus souffia · accessed on
- BOE / Journal officiel — Directive 92/43/CEE, texte original, annexe II · accessed on
- Service Public — Pêche de loisir à la ligne en eau douce · accessed on
- Fédération de pêche du Var — Blageon · accessed on
- Dubut et al. (2012), PLOS ONE — From Late Miocene to Holocene: Processes of Differentiation within the Telestes Genus · accessed on
- Fédération du Gard — Pêche à rôder en février, 7 février 2022, conseils collectifs et rivières nommées · accessed on
- Préfet du Gard — Arrêté 30-2026-01-05-00011, pêche en eau douce 2026, pages 1–8 consultées · accessed on
- Fédération du Morbihan — Manipulation des poissons, bonnes pratiques générales · accessed on