Author: (Pallas, 1776)
FBname: Broad whitefish
Comments: Nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426).  Lowland river and lakes (Ref. 59043) but most frequently in streams (Ref. 5723).  Lacustrine and estuarine anadromous forms exist (Ref. 593).  Alevins and juveniles feed on zooplankton, adults on benthos, mainly chironomid larvae and molluscs (Ref. 1998, 59043). Males reproduce for the first time in 4-8 years, females at 5-9. Adults start upstream migration in late July - August and reach spawning sites by October - November and spawn in stretches with swift current and sand-pebble bottom, often under ice. Spawning lasts 5-7 days and fish leave spawning site soon after, migrating downstream to overwinter in deeper places of lower stretches of rivers together with older juveniles. In spring, alevins drift from spawning sites downstream with flood-water and forage in floodplain lakes and oxbows where they remain until end of summer before moving to river or reaching maturity (if lakes are large enough and do not dry out). Widely used for aquaculture in eastern Europe (Ref. 59043). Flesh is highly esteemed (Ref. 1998). Sold fresh, dried, or smoked (Ref. 1998).