Dace
D-Hasel; GB-Common dace; DK-Strømskalle; PL-Jelec pospolity; LT-Paprastasis strepetys; LV-Baltais sapals; EST-Teib, eselkas; RU-Елец; FIN-Seipi; S-Stäm
Characters
1) Mouth slightly sub-terminal, mouth opening almost horizontal and small.
2) Outer edge of anal fin curved inwards.
●) Body elongated.
●) Back silvern, blueish or greyish; abdomen whitish; pelvic and anal fins only sligthly redish to yellowish.
Often 15 to 20 cm, max. 30 cm length.
Similar species
Ide - termial mouth, slightly turned upwards; body slighthly deeper; 55 to 61 scales in lateral line (vs. 47 to 51 in dace).
Chub - margin of anal fin curved outward; terminal, much longer mouth (reaching almost to the eye)
Grass carp - margin of dorsal fin curved outward; 42 to 45 scales in lateral line (vs. 47 to 53 in dace).
Roach - mouth terminal and slightly turned upwards; upper part of eye red; body deeper.
Rudd - mouth terminal and clearly turned upwards; pelvic fin origin in front of dorsal fin; 40 to 43 scales in lateral line (vs. 47 to 53 in dace).
Biology
Lives in schools near the surface in fast-flowing and clear waters of rivers and streams with gravel or rocky ground. Females lay their eggs in excavations made in gravel.Diet
They feed on small invertebrates, seldom on plant material.Importance
Commercially of little importance as angling fish.Endangerment
Presumably not endangered, but becoming rarer because of small numbers of clear, fast flowing waters.Leuciscus leuciscus
