Garfish

D-Hornhecht; GB-Garfish; DK-Hornfisk; PL-Belona; LT-Vėjažuvė; LV-Vējzivs; EST-Tuulehaug; RU-Cарган; FIN-Nokkakala; S-Näbbgädda

Characters

1) Beak-like elongated mouth.
2) Dorsal fin originating very far back.
●) Body very elongated and rounded.
●) Back darkblue to green; flanks silvern; abdomen white.
Often 40 to 70 cm, max. 90 cm length.

Similar species

Atlantic saury - 5 to 7 finlets behind dorsal and anal fins.

Biology

Diurnal, forming swarms in open waters, undertaking large migrations. For spawning they come near to the coast; eggs are adhered to stones and plants with long sticky filaments.

Diet

They feed on swarm fish like young hering, sprats, sand smelts and sand eels, but also on small invertebrates; (outside of the Baltic Sea they also regularly feed on squids).

Importance

Importance as food fish.

Endangerment

Not endangered.