Bleak
D-Ukelei, Laube, Zwiebelfisch; GB-Bleak; DK-Løje; PL-Ukleja; LT-Aukšlė; LV-Vīķe; EST-Viidikas; RU-Уклейка; FIN-Salakka; S-Löja
Characters
1) Mouth superior, mouth opening steep.
2) Lateral line without interruption.
3) Long anal fin.
4) Pelvic fins originate well before dorsal fin.
●) Body elongated; coloured grey-greenish with strong silver glance on the sides and abdomen; a light or golden reflecting stripe on the flanks.
Often 12 to 15 cm, up to max. 25 cm length.
Similar species
Sun bleak - lateral line incomplete; anal fin shorter (less than half of the distance between anal and caudal fin).
Vendace - with adipose fin; pelvic fins below dorsal fin.
Herring - larger, less steep mouth; pelvic fins below dorsal fin.
Sprat - larger, less steep mouth; belly serrated (with scutes); pelvic fins below dorsal fin.
Biology
Lives in swarms near the surface in open waters of slow-flowing and standing waterbodies, as well in brackish waters. Spawning occurs in shallow watersides over hard and gravel ground, seldom over water plants.Diet
Feeds on zoo- and phytoplanktion, as well as on insects.Importance
In former times commercially important as food fish, today mainly used as bait fish.Endangerment
Presumably not endangered, but in North Germany unexplaint, strong decline of populations.Alburnus alburnus
