Common dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)

Scientific name: Leuciscus leuciscus Linnaeus, 1758

Common dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)

The Common dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–22°C (39–72°F).

Common dace care at a glance

Temperature
4–22°C (39–72°F)

Biology

Gregarious fish which swims near the surface. Inhabits moderate to fast-flowing large streams to large rivers with rock or gravel bottom. Adults aggregate in dense swarms in winter in the lower reaches of rivers or backwaters and often migrate to spawning streams in autumn and overwinter there. Juveniles spend winter in cavities along the shores. Early juveniles occur in very shallow shoreline habitats and when they grow, they leave the shores for faster-flowing waters. Feeding larvae thrive along shores. Prey on small invertebrates. Spawns in fast-flowing water on shallow gravel beds, often in small tributaries. Breeds in March and April. Pale yellow eggs are found attached to gravel and stones in shallow, flowing water.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Leuciscus leuciscus
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Common length
15.0
Depth range
1 m (3 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0 benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 1 - ? m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Europe and Asia: North, Baltic, White and Barents Sea basins; Caspian basin, in Volga and Ural drainages; Black Sea basin, from Danube to Dniepr drainages; Atlantic basin, in Seine drainage; Mediterranean basin from Rh?ne to Arch drainages (France). Only very localized in Danube main river in Romania, in Scandinavia north of 69?N and most of cenral Finland. Populations from Siberia and East Asia usually referred to Leuciscus leuciscus are distinct species, Leuciscus baicalensis and Leuciscus dzungaricus. Has become widespread in Europe and gained access to Ireland as a bait fish. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes; bait: usually
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.18-0.25; tm=3-4; tmax=10)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated