Monday, August 17, 2009

Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)

The Dace is a small yet slender member of the carp family, whose body is almost circular in cross-section. It has a dark back with a blue sheen and silvery sides. It can be distinguished from the very similar chub by its small mouth and concave edge to the anal fin. It lives in clear waters of sub mountainous and lowland rivers and streams and feeds on insects and their larvae, which it collects from the river bed as well as from the surface. From March to May it spawns on aquatic vegetation. It is found in the whole of Europe with the exception of all three south European peninsulas (i. e. Spain, Italy and Greece), Scotland and the northern parts of Scandinavia.

Maximum size and weight: 35 cm, 250 g.

Identifying characteristics : Mouth small, anal fin edge concave. Lower part of body, behind ventral fins, rounded and covered with scales.

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